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.

27th March 2018

Award winning month at the Charterhouse

March got underway to a successful start at the Association for Cultural Enterprises Annual Conference. Two of the Charterhouse publications were shortlisted in the ‘Best General Publication’ and ‘Best Guidebook’ categories in the Best Product Awards 2018.

Our Museum and Collections Manager Ellie was in Brighton for the conference and had an opportunity to view the competing entries. Our books were up against publications from the Sir John Soane Museum and the Wellcome Collection. Following some friendly rivalry with our competitors the winners were announced. The Charterhouse was awarded ‘Best Guidebook’ for The Charterhouse: The Guidebook.

Congratulations to the Sir John Soane Museum who were awarded the ‘Best General Publication’ award.

The success continued at the UK Heritage Awards which were hosted at Goldsmith’s Hall on 6 March. At this ceremony attended by Development Director Dominic Tickell and Governor Wilf Weeks the Charterhouse was the winner in the ‘Best Hidden Gem’ category.

Congratulations to Bridge End Gardens in Suffolk which received a commendation in the same category.

Do come in and visit us to view the awards which will be on display shortly and purchase your copy of our award-winning guidebook here

13th October 2017

The Charterhouse museum achieves annual visitor target 3 months early!

We are thrilled to report that the Charterhouse has achieved its annual visitor projection of 24,000 people to the museum within the first nine months of opening.

We are delighted that the response has been so positive and would like to extend sincere thanks to all of our valued supporters – from funders to Friends, visitors to volunteers and all those who have played a part in making our opening months such a success.

Of those who have visited so far a significant 99.5% would recommend the Charterhouse to a friend.

Here is some of our favourite feedback:

‘Opened my eyes to an aspect of London life and history about which I knew nothing… very welcoming and informative’.

‘This was one of the best days we have spent in London’.

‘Our guide was amazing – very informative, enthusiastic, humorous, full of personality and easy to hear’.

‘Brilliant help by staff/volunteers. Many thanks! A real treasure. A hidden gem!’

Can you help us to reach our new target of 35,000 visitors by the end of the year?

Pop in or get in touch with our Visitor Host team [here] to find out more about our unique offer. We look forward to seeing you soon!

23rd June 2017

Thackeray’s at the Charterhouse wins ACE Cafe of the Month

We are delighted to announce that Thackeray’s Coffee House, located next door to the Charterhouse museum, has been awarded Cafe of the Month by the Association of Cultural Enterprises (ACE).

Situated in the former drawing room of a Georgian townhouse, the recently opened Coffee House has been stylishly renovated to provide a relaxing retreat in the heart of London. We offer a delicious range of homemade cakes, sandwiches, soup and hot meals along with locally crafted coffee and other drinks. All food is prepared by the team of Charterhouse chefs, drawing on their extensive experience of catering for the Brothers. We look forward to welcoming you soon.

To see the ACE announcement please click here.

6th June 2017

Technical Examination of a Portrait of Thomas Sutton

Sarah Bayliss has written a fascinating technical examination of a Portrait of Thomas Sutton. This oil on panel portrait belongs to the City of Lincoln and depicts the founder of the Charterhouse, London, Thomas Sutton (1532–1611). The painting has been at the Charterhouse since the 1970s and was recently sent to the Hamilton Kerr Institute for technical analysis and study, in the hope of clarifying long-standing questions about its origin. You can read Sarah’s article here.

13th April 2017

The Charterhouse Newsletter

The first ever Charterhouse newsletter can now be read via our website. You can find it here here. If you would like to subscribe to our mailing list, visit our Newsletter page in the About section of the website, or click here.

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