News

Andrew Ritchie

6th December 2018

The Charterhouse appoints new Chair and first Director of Operations

The Charterhouse is delighted to announce the appointment of Major General Andrew Ritchie CBE as the new Chair of the Governors, and Julian Marczak as the charity’s first Director of Operations. Andrew Ritchie was a career soldier and former Commandant of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst who was until recently CEO of Goodenough College. He comes with many years’ experience of Board leadership and involvement in charitable institutions. Andrew takes over from Sir Michael Graydon on 20th November, and Julian will be leaving his role as Deputy Director of the Almshouse Association to take on this new role at the Charterhouse on 18th January 2019.

This month the Charterhouse will also be bidding a very grateful and fond farewell to Donna Birkwood who has served here for over 18 years, originally as Registrar and from 2002 as Clerk to the Brothers.

The Master, Ann Kenrick, who has overseen the opening of the Charterhouse to the public over the last 19 months, very much looks forward to working with both Andrew and Julian.

“I am delighted Andrew is joining us and bringing his own extensive experience to build on the wise, proactive and innovative role that Sir Michael Graydon has contributed so well for 20 years, the last 12 as Chair. Sir Michael has partnered four Masters here at the Charterhouse and has not only been a consistently steady hand on the financial tiller, but has also manifestly cared very deeply for our mission and for the wellbeing of the Brothers. I wish Sir Michael all good wishes for the future, and want to personally thank him for his invaluable leadership during these changing times at the Charterhouse.

I am also very pleased to welcome Julian Marczak and look forward to working with him to ensure we are running our almshouse and maintaining and conserving our exceptional buildings in harmony as well as efficiently, and with an eye on the future. Julian’s distinguished career in the third sector, and specifically working with almshouses and property portfolios, means he will be bringing excellent expertise and credentials to the team here at the Charterhouse”.

Sir Michael Graydon, outgoing Chairman of the Governors of the Charterhouse said, “I am delighted we have made two such excellent appointments to enable us to carry on maintaining and developing the Charterhouse. I have a strong and deep commitment to this very special organisation and feel assured that after my 18 years as Chair I am passing its future into good hands.”

Andrew Ritchie commented:
“I am delighted to play a role in the Charterhouse at such an exciting time in its history.”

Julian Marczak added:
“It is a tremendous privilege to be involved in this next very significant chapter of the long and illustrious history of the Charterhouse. I have viewed developments having been a great admirer of it for some time and look forward immensely to contributing to the next stage of its development. Overseeing progress of the museum and learning centre, enabling a wider audience to appreciate the glorious gardens and encouraging the wonderful catering team to support the private functions are all stimulating challenges.”

The Charterhouse, set deep within stone walls in the heart of Clerkenwell, is a remarkable assembly of historic buildings dating from the 14thcentury.  Over the years it has been a monastery, a grand Tudor mansion, a school and, as it has remained for over 400 years, an almshouse. In January 2017 parts of the Charterhouse opened to the public for the first time in its 660 year history, revealing to the public the great story of this sprawling urban oasis at the heart of London.

With partner the Museum of London, the Charterhouse created a new museum within the Tudor mansion, as well as a Learning Centre and an exhibition space, which tells the story of the Charterhouse and its role in key moments in English history, using artefacts from its own collection, together with others from the Museum of London and other collections. This exciting new facility brings to life the history of the building, highlighting its place in national affairs and securing its future.

For further information, interviews and photographs please contact Charlotte Borger on charlotte.borger@thecharterhouse.org

Editors’ notes
* Andrew Ritchie was Director of Goodenough College from 2006 to 2018 and was previously Director of Regular Forces Employment Association (a military charity) and has senior roles at other colleges and charities. His career has been with the army, and he has held a range of senior army appointments including Director of Army Communications & Public Relations.
* Julian Marczak was appointed as Deputy Director of the Almshouse Association in 2012 having previously worked as Assistant Director, Fundraising.

The Royal Visit

28th February 2017

The Royal Visit

Last month, Queen Elizabeth, accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh, officially opened our new museum, learning centre and public square. The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh met many people associated with our new development, including staff, architects, builders and gardeners. A crowd of well-wishers, waving flags and taking photographs from the renovated square, welcomed her at the gates where she was greeted by the Master of the Charterhouse. While the Duke of Edinburgh greeted to the Brothers, the Queen spoke to local schoolchildren who were designing their own coats of arms in our learning centre. She was given a tour of the museum, then shown the renovated Sir Henry Havelock Memorial, which commemorates the British general Sir Henry Havelock and other alumni of Charterhouse School who died in the Crimean War, the Indian Mutiny and other campaigns. The visit culminated with the couple’s visit to the Chapel, where Bro. Graham Matthews, our resident organist, performed a rousing rendition of God Save the Queen.

The Charterhouse Featured in The Guardian

27th January 2017

The Charterhouse Featured in The Guardian

The Revealing the Charterhouse project, which will see the opening of our brand new museum, cafe and learning space, is the subject of a new feature in The Guardian. Written by Maev Kennedy, the feature delves into the history of the Charterhouse and also focuses on some of the items included in our new exhibition. You can read it here.

The Charterhouse Featured in new BBC series ‘Taboo’

13th January 2017

The Charterhouse Featured in new BBC series ‘Taboo’

The Charterhouse is one of the locations featured in Taboo, a new BBC series about an adventurer (played by Tom Hardy) who returns to Britain from Africa along with fourteen stolen diamonds to seek vengeance after the death of his father. The first episode, which aired on 7 January 2017, can be watched on BBC iPlayer, with episode two airing on BBC One on Saturday 14th.

Opening date announcement

5th January 2017

Opening date announcement

The site has been transformed over the past months and our new museum, reception area, shop and The Sir John Cass’s Learning Centre are taking shape.

We are excited to announce that we will be opening our doors to the public for the first time in Charterhouse’s history from Friday 27 January 2017

We hope to see you during our opening weekend to share our fascinating story through the objects on display in the museum, a tour of the historic site and our programme of learning activities. We encourage you to take away a souvenir from the shop and enjoy a refreshment in our new café, scheduled for completion in early February, overlooking Charterhouse Square.

Do check our website for further information.With thanks to all of those who have been involved in the project, including our generous supporters, in particular the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Revealing the Charterhouse in Barbican Life

14th October 2016

Revealing the Charterhouse in Barbican Life

A feature about our exciting Revealing the Charterhouse project appears in the latest edition of Barbican Life magazine. It was written by project curator Cathy Ross, and outlines our intentions to open the Charterhouse to the public in January 2017. You can read it here.