How we are run

How we are governed

The British Council is registered as a charity under registration numbers 209131 (England and Wales) and SC037733 (Scotland).  The British Council was established in 1934 and incorporated by Royal Charter in 1940.  A supplemental Charter of Incorporation was granted in 1993.  Our Patron is HM Queen Elizabeth II and HRH The Prince of Wales is our Vice-Patron.

The British Council operates at arm’s length from the UK Government and it does not carry out its functions on behalf of the Crown.  However, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs is answerable to Parliament for the policies, operations and performance of the British Council whilst the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is the British Council's Sponsoring Department.

The Management statement [PDF 714 KB] sets out the relationship between the British Council and the FCO.

The Financial Memorandum [PDF 901 KB] sets out the terms and conditions under which the FCO provides a grant in aid to the Council.

The Charter [PDF 192 KB] is the constitution of the Council and it  invests the powers of the British Council in a Board of Trustees.  As British Council trustees, Board members are guardians of our purpose and are ultimately accountable for the organisation. They meet six times a year.

Our executive direction is provided by Martin Davidson, our Chief Executive, with the support of an Executive Board.

Advisory committees

To assist us in the quality and independence of our thinking, the British Council can rely on the expert advice of three National Committees (for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) and three Sector Advisory Groups for education and governance, English, science and engineering. Members of these committees and groups serve in an advisory capacity and have no decision-making responsibilities.

The Advisory Board brings together the Trustees, Executive Board, the chairs of the advisory committees and other distinguished national and international figures. It supports the organisation by providing perceptions and insights into our work and the context in which we are, and will be, operating. It meets once a year.