John Booth

John Booth CVO has been appointed by the Prime Minister as a Trustee of the National Gallery for a second term of four years from 20 August 2025 to 19 August 2029.

John chairs a number of public and private companies including the London Theatre Company. He also serves as a non-executive director of several investment management businesses and has venture capital interests in e-commerce, media and telecommunications. He is Vice President of The King’s Trust, Chairman of The Royal Drawing School and a trustee of the Chatsworth Settlement and the Arts Foundation. He is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries and of Merton College, Oxford, a member of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences and Ambassador for the homelessness charity Depaul International.

John joined the Board of the National Gallery in March 2021. As a result of his reappointment, the National Gallery Trustees have confirmed that John will continue in his role as Chairman of the Gallery’s Board.

Remuneration and Governance Code

Trustees of the National Gallery are not remunerated. This appointment has been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments.

The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. John has not declared any significant political activity.