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
• Suresh Ariarathanam, Designate Independent Non-Executive Director, Somerset NHS Integrated Care Board
• Andy Beale, Principal and Co-Founder of Stance Global. Formerly Chief Technology Officer, HM Government
• Francine Bennett Data Technology and AI Leader
• 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
• Tom Chatfield Author, Educationalist, NED, Business Advisor and Philosopher of Technology
• Louisa Costelloe, Chair, National Collection of Northern Ireland Publications
• Lucy Crompton-Reid,  Chief Executive of Wikimedia UK
• Alexander Evans, Professor of Practice in Public Policy, London School of Economics
• 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
• Helen Hammond, Principal, WMC (Working Mens College), The Camden College 
• 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
• Martha Keith, CEO of Martha Brook
• Suhair Khan, Technology Entrepreneur and Creative Leadership
• Pedr ap Llwyd, Chief Executive & Librarian, National Library of Wales
• Jelena Sevo, Global Information and Technology Business Leader
• Amina Shah, 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
• Jonathan Straight, Entrepreneur, NED & Consultant
• Pamela Tulloch, Chief Executive, Scottish Library & Information Council

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