Chairman of historic London bridges charity is re-elected
The chairman of a body which oversees five London bridges and the capital’s biggest independent charity funder has been re-elected.
Giles Shilson will continue to head the City of London Corporation’s Bridge House Estates Board which he has chaired since it was set up two years ago.
The board has responsibility for the work of Bridge House Estates, a 900-year-old charity which maintains Tower, London, Southwark, Millennium and Blackfriars Bridges at no cost to the taxpayer.
Its grant-making team, City Bridge Trust, awards over £30 million a year to charities tackling disadvantage across Greater London. It has also made an extra £200 million available from 2021 to 2026 to support the capital’s charity sector.
Bridge House Estates Board Chairman Giles Shilson said:
“It’s a great honour to be re-elected as chairman of the board overseeing the vital work of Bridge House Estates, which has been there for the people of London for 900 years.
“Over the next year we will continue to guide the work of the charity as a world-class bridge owner and a major funder supporting charities across the capital to reduce inequality and strengthen communities.”
Educated at St Paul’s School and Balliol College, Oxford, Dr Shilson practised as a barrister until 2005 and now maintains a portfolio of Chief Executive, Director and Board-level positions across the charity and not-for-profit sectors.
He was elected to the City Corporation’s primary decision-making body, the Court of Common Council, in 2009, and was previously Chairman of the Board of the Barbican Centre.
Notes to editors
The City of London Corporation is the governing body of the Square Mile dedicated to a vibrant and thriving City, supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally successful UK – www.cityoflondon.gov.uk
The City Corporation is the sole trustee of Bridge Houses Estates, a charity founded over 900 years ago to maintain London Bridge, and Members of its Court of Common Council form the Bridge House Estates Board.
Bridge House Estates is today responsible for maintaining Tower, London, Southwark, Millennium and Blackfriars Bridges. Its grants team, City Bridge Trust – founded in 1995 – awards over £30 million a year to good causes across the capital.
It has also made an extra £200 million available over five years from 2021 to 2026 to support London’s charity sector – www.citybridgetrust.org.uk
Tim Fletcher | Media officer – public services
City of London Corporation
07738 862229 | tim.fletcher@cityoflondon.gov.uk