UCL Computer Science Honorary Professor Jeremy Silver named as Interim CEO at The British Museum

Jeremy Silver has been named as the Interim Chief Executive at The British Library after Rebecca Lawrence stood down from the role earlier this month.

Silver has been a Board member at The British Library since 2019 and is Computer Science Honorary Professor at UCL.

Silver was previously CEO at Digital Catapult, the UK Government-backed applied research and development lab and business accelerator. He also completed his PhD research at the British Library in 1984.

In a LinkedIn post, UCL Computer Science said: “With a background spanning digital media, immersive technologies and AI, including his role as former CEO of Digital Catapult, and early research ties to the Library, Jeremy brings substantial experience in driving innovation across the UK’s creative and technology sectors.”

Also on LinkedIn, Silver added: “Unexpectedly, I’m starting a new chapter as Interim CEO at the British Library. Excited to take the helm at such a brilliant institution.”

The British Library experienced a significant cyberattack in 2023 and is still working to restore full functionality.

Commenting on her appointment to the role of CEO in October 2024, Lawrence previously said: “I am honoured to take up the role of Chief Executive of the British Library, an institution I have loved and admired from childhood and throughout my adult life.[…] The Library is one of the world’s great concentrations of trusted and verified knowledge, and through innovation and technology I believe we can transform access to this tremendous resource, as well as growing and developing it for future generations.”