Mandated by the British Library Act 1972, the role of the Advisory Council is “to advise the British Library on any aspect of the development and operation of its services, and its relations with libraries, at home and overseas.”

Its members reflect the broad range of the Library's user groups and audiences, with expertise in one or more areas of relevance to the work of the Library such as culture, business, science, technology, education, research, and academic and public libraries.

Members of the Advisory Council

Tim Brooks (Chair), Formerly MD of Guardian Media Group and CEO of the British Medical Journal. Chairman of NLA Media Access

Emma Adamson, Director of Learning Services, Campuses and Student Services, University of South Wales. Chair of Welsh Higher Education Libraries Forum

Andy Beale, Principal and Co-Founder of Stance Global. Formerly Chief Technology Officer, HM Government

Dr Devaki Bhatta, Founder and Director, Biosenze Consulting Ltd

Dr David Bholat Senior Manager for Research and Innovation, Bank of England

Alice Black, Ambassador, Mayor of London’s Cultural Leadership Board, and former Co-Director of the Design Museum, London

Louisa Costelloe, Chair, National Collection of Northern Ireland Publications

Lucy Crompton-Reid,  Chief Executive of Wikimedia UK.

Ciara Eastell, Chief Executive, Libraries Unlimited

Regina Everitt, Director of Library, Archives and Learning Services at the University of East London

Peter Frankopan, Professor of Global History, Oxford University, and best-selling author

Nicola Guy, Deputy Director, Museums Archives and Libraries Division, Welsh Government

Tom Holland, Best-selling author and broadcaster. Chair of the Public Lending Right Advisory Council

Elizabeth Hutchinson, Director of Communications and External Relations, British Academy. Formerly Director of Communications & Public Affairs, Goldsmiths University

Anne-Marie Imafidon, Head Stemette, Stemettes. Ambassador for the British Library’s Business & IP Centre

Pedr ap Llwyd, Chief Executive & Librarian, National Library of Wales

Dr John Scally, National Librarian and Chief Executive, National Library of Scotland

Moira Sinclair, Chief Executive, Paul Hamlyn Foundation

Dr Sir Jim Smith, Director of Science, Wellcome. Formerly Deputy CEO and Chief of Strategy, Medical Research Council, and Director of Research, Francis Crick Institute

Pamela Tulloch, Chief Executive, Scottish Library & Information Council

Secretary to the British Library Advisory Council: Michelle Clewer (michelle.clewer@bl.uk)