Lawrence has had a career in leadership roles across the public service and university sector. From 2019 to 2023 she was Chief Executive of the Crown Prosecution Service, previously a founder and first CEO of the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime where she served as Director of Strategy and Resourcing and Chief Executive from 2016 to 2019. She began her career as a civil servant at HM Treasury before moving to the Home Office and policing to lead on counter-terrorism strategy, resourcing and transformation.
“Rebecca brings skills and experience from more than 25 years at the forefront of reforming and delivering public services, with particular strengths in leadership and digital transformation," said Dame Carol Black, Chair of the British Library Board. "I am sure that, as Chief Executive, she will build on Sir Roly Keating’s legacy and enable the Library to complete its recovery from last year’s cyber-attack, and fulfil our mission of making our outstanding collections accessible to everyone.”
Rebecca Lawrence 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. I share the Library’s conviction that ‘knowledge matters’. 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.”
Sir Roly Keating announced in April that he would be stepping down in early 2025. Following the appointment he is bringing forward his departure to the end of this year. “Along with her deep experience of public service leadership, Rebecca brings an infectious passion for the Library and everything it stands for," he said. "After 12 fulfilling years here, I’m excited to be handing over to her for the next chapter in the story of this extraordinary institution.”
