Gresham College Welcomes New Executive Director Richard Smith OBE

We are delighted to announce the arrival of our new Executive Director, Richard Smith OBE.

Richard joins Gresham College from The Tank Museum in Dorset, where over the past 17 years, he has overseen a £25m redevelopment and a surge in visitor numbers.

He said: “Gresham College is an incredible asset and resource for people living in London. A public educational institution that provides free lectures on a broad suite of subjects from some of the brightest minds our educational establishments have to offer, and yet too few people know about Gresham College and what it offers.

“My task is to shine a spotlight on the College’s 400-year history, its founding motivations and the calendar of amazing events that take place every month, available to the public for free both in-person and online.”

Prior to The Tank Museum, Smith worked in logistics for more than a decade, covering roles in marketing, operational management, and e-commerce, with stints in London, New York, and Hong Kong. 

Chair of Gresham College  Dr Loyd Grossman CBE, said: “In today’s society we are drowning in information but starved of real knowledge. Gresham College is in the business of top-notch learning, and Richard’s appointment signifies a new phase in our mission to reach a wider global audience, whilst breaking down the barriers to an academic education.”

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