Constitution and purpose
The Bank of England (“the Bank”) remains committed to providing banknotes which the public can continue to use with confidence. In July 2025, the Bank announced that it is beginning the process to design the next series of banknotes (Series H).
The Governor has constituted the Banknote Imagery Advisory Group (the “Advisory Group”) whose purpose is to consider a variety of evidence, including views from the public, and advise the Governor on which theme(s) and subsequently images, should be featured on all four denominations of Series H banknotes.
Responsibilities
The Advisory Group will meet as often as required to:
- consider the results of all public outreach, including any consultations, qualitative research and other feedback gathered from relevant stakeholders
- assess the potential themes against the criteria identified in the consultation paper, and agree any further criteria for subsequent imagery choices
- decide
- which theme(s) (Stage 1); and
- which images (Stage 2)
should be recommended to the Governor to feature in the designs for Series H.
Membership and attendance
The Core Members of the Advisory Group are:
- Chief Cashier (Chair);
- Secretary to the Bank;
- Governor’s Private Secretary;
- Head of Future of Money;
- Head of Notes Operations;
- Head of Stakeholder & Media Engagement;
- Senior Manager, Banknote Security & Design; and
- PRA Senior Advisor, Andy Batley.
Other attendees who will be invited to all meetings include:
- Legal Representative
- Senior Programme Manager, Banknote Innovation Programme
- Senior Manager, Banknote Analysis, Strategy & Engagement
The Chair, with agreement from Core Members, may choose to expand the membership of the Group and/or invite other experts to attend the meetings where the chair believes their expertise will support the Group’s advice on theme or images.
Chair
The Chair of the Advisory Group is the Chief Cashier.
Quorum
The Quorum shall be the Chair plus a minimum of 4 other Core Members. Members participating by telephone or virtually are treated as present. In the event the Chair is unable to attend the meeting, they may nominate an alternative Chair.
Frequency of meetings
The Advisory Group is expected to meet at least twice for each stage of the imagery selection process:
- theme selection (Stage 1), and
- image selection (Stage 2)
The Chair may call a meeting at any time on giving such notice as in their judgement the circumstances may require.
Members will serve on the Advisory Group until the Governor is satisfied that the imagery selection process has concluded for Series H, when the Advisory Group will be dissolved.
Decision making
Decisions will be reached by consensus. Where, in the opinion of the Chair, a consensus cannot be reached, the Chair may propose a way forward based on the Group’s discussion, making clear in advice to the Governor that no consensus was possible.
Decisions may also be taken by written procedure as determined by the Chair. For a decision to be taken by written procedure, a note shall be sent to all Core Members setting out the proposal, the ask and any supporting information.The note shall specify a deadline for responses.Non-replies will be taken as approval. The decision-making process and Quorum will be as for meeting items.
In reaching decisions, the Advisory Group shall be mindful of the Bank’s legal obligations with regard to the consultation process, including consideration of the Bank’s Public Sector Equality Duty, and obtain advice from the Legal Representative as required.
Agendas, minutes and secretariat
The agenda will be set in agreement with the Chair, and papers will be collated / prepared by the Secretariat. Papers will be circulated in advance of each meeting.
Notes Division will serve as Secretariat to the Advisory Group and produce minutes of the Advisory Group’s meetings. The minutes will be circulated within 10 working days of the meeting taking place. These will be reviewed and confirmed by members at the following meeting or by written procedure.
Date adopted: 5 August 2025