The City of London Corporation's Court of Common Council is considering extending the tenure of the Chairman of the Barbican Centre Board to ensure leadership continuity during a significant renovation project. A report presented to the court recommends waiving a standing order to allow the current Chairman to serve an additional year, subject to annual re-election.
This extension is primarily to provide continuity of leadership during the Barbican Renewal period, which includes a year-long closure for a £191m overhaul, and to facilitate a smooth transition for the Barbican's 50th anniversary in 2029.
The Barbican Centre is set to undergo a significant overhaul, including a year-long closure for the £191 million renovation, with a planned reopening in 2029. The current Chairman has expressed willingness to serve for an additional year to facilitate this smooth transition and oversee the centre's milestone 50th anniversary.
The report from the Policy and Resources Committee highlighted that the current Chairman's term was due to end before the completion of the Barbican Renewal project. This situation mirrors past instances where terms have been extended during critical project phases, as noted in the Public reports pack. The report does not specify the exact dates for the annual re-election process within this extended period, though the current Chairman's term is set to end in 2028, with the proposed extension covering the entire Renewal period up to the 2029 reopening and transition to a new Chair for the anniversary.
The recommendation to extend the Chairman's term was made based on the need for continuity during the critical renewal phase and to ensure a seamless handover for the centre's 50th anniversary. The report also acknowledges that There is precedence at the City Corporation to extend the term of service of a Chairman during critical stages of a Committee or Board's oversight of matters which fall within the remit of its responsibility.
