Leadership and governance
The British Council is incorporated by Royal Charter (pdf 192kb). We are an executive non-departmental public body, a public corporation (in accounting terms) and a charity.
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 714kb) sets out the relationship between the British Council and the FCO.
The Financial Memorandum (pdf 901kb) sets out the terms and conditions under which the FCO provides a grant in aid to the Council.
The Charter (pdf 192kb) 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.
Details of British Councils senior management and its relationship to roles and responsibilities are detailed in the Organogram (pdf 74kb).
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.
Advisory Board
The Advisory Board brings together the Trustees, Executive Board, the chairs of the advisory committees and other distinguished national and international figures. Members are appointed for three years in the first instance, except for overseas members whose mandate is five years. See current members (pdf 29kb).
The Advisory Board 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.
Event Programmes and Reports
- 15 – 16 October 2007, The meaning of Partnership (pdf 3mb)
- 27 - 28 March 2006, What can public diplomacy achieve? (pdf 114kb)
