Chair’s statement
This has been a year of change for Chatham House, against the backdrop of a deteriorating international landscape and unprecedented turbulence in British politics. Everyone associated with Chatham House was deeply saddened by the death of our patron, the Late Queen Elizabeth II, who showed such interest in and commitment to the institute throughout her reign.
For Council, the priority has been helping to support Chatham House’s leadership transition. We welcomed and have worked closely with Bronwen Maddox since her arrival in August 2022, and have adopted her strategic plan. Council strongly supports Bronwen’s focus on sharpening our output and impact in response to the latest international trends, building on the institute’s successful growth under her predecessor, Sir Robin Niblett.
Council has been actively involved in overseeing the institute’s finances under the guidance of our honorary treasurer whose report covers the results of a particularly challenging 2022/23 financial year.
The year 2022 also saw a passing of the baton as chair of our Panel of Senior Advisers from Sir John Major to Mark Carney. Joanna Cound has taken over as deputy chair of Council. I warmly thank Ann Cormack and Kate Gibbons and our outgoing secretary, Paul Curtin, for their outstanding service to Council.
Council will support Bronwen and her team in ensuring that Chatham House remains a widely valued source of independent expertise and ideas which the world needs more than ever.
Sir Nigel Sheinwald GCMG