Agenda item

To elect a Deputy Chairman in accordance with Standing Order 30.

The Committee proceeded to elect a Deputy Chairman in accordance with Standing Order No.30. In accordance with Standing Order 30, paragraph 3a, Deputy Dr Giles Shilson, as the immediate past Chairman and being willing to serve, was duly elected as Deputy Chairman of the Committee for the ensuing year.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: THAT the Members of the Gresham Committee (City Side) express their sincere thanks to:

Dr Giles Robert Evelyn Shilson, Deputy

for the enthusiastic, capable, and astute manner in which he has presided over their proceedings since his election as Chairman in June 2017.

During his term of office, the Chairman has been a strong advocate for Gresham College and has been instrumental in supporting its continued success: in particular, through the agreement of a historic new five-year funding arrangement and associated business plan,  which will transform the College’s present and future. The new arrangements have provided a substantial improvement to the College’s operating model, putting in place key performance indicators and business reporting mechanisms. Supported by the appointment of a new Chairman, Provost, and Chief Executive, they will allow the College to begin income generating activities and partnership activities with City businesses in earnest, whilst also allowing for Gresham College to play a larger and more innovative role in deepening and widening the City’s own educational activities, cultural mission, and social impact. Truly, it has been a period of fundamental change for the College, and we owe Giles an enormous debt of gratitude for his efforts in supporting them to a position fit for the 21^st century and beyond.

Under Giles’ Chairmanship, the Committee has also continued to build on excellent relations with the Mercers’ Side and, as a consequence, the period has seen an increasingly productive, co-operative and fruitful Joint Grand Gresham Committee. His tenure has seen the completion of work on the first biography of Sir Thomas Gresham since 1925, with a copy gifted to every Member of the Court to promote the legacy of Sir Thomas and the work of the College. He has also motivated and overseen the restoration project of the Gresham Music Collection, securing funds to address an area of responsibility sadly neglected over the past 50 years but now, at long last, being restored to prime condition.

At the conclusion of his term of service as their Chairman, the Committee would like to thank him for his cordial and humorous chairmanship, and the intelligent contribution he has made to the accomplishments of the Committee. We hope that the City Side can continue to depend on his skills and experience as he turns his attention to his future challenges.

The Deputy Chairman then thanked Members for their words of thanks, and his expressed his anticipation in continuing to serve the Gresham (City Side) Committee, both as the Deputy Chairman and a Member of the Committee.