Women have been involved in all stages of banknote production. They have made banknote paper, operated banknote printing machines and drawn banknote designs.
There have been three female Chief Cashiers at the Bank of England since 1999. The Chief Cashier is responsible for issuing banknotes and their signature appears on every note.
In the 1800s, women were employed in banknote paper mills.
As this picture shows, they operated the machinery used to make banknote paper at the Bank of England’s paper mill in Hampshire.
Women have also been involved in making counterfeit banknotes.
Artist George Cruikshank (1792–1878) designed this imitation banknote protesting against the severe anti-forgery laws. It shows a row of male and female forgers hanging from a gibbet.
During the First World War, there was an increased demand for banknotes and other official printed products.
At the same time, male employees were leaving to fight in the war. The Bank of England employed women to fill their places and meet the demand.
Women continued to be employed in the Bank of England’s printing department after the war.
In the 1930s, eight 'neat-fingered girls' were responsible for feeding paper into each banknote printing machine at the St. Luke’s Printing Works in Old Street, London.
During the Second World War the Bank of England faced more staff shortages.
Women were employed at the temporary banknote printing department in Overton. It had moved production to the countryside to protect it from the threat of German bombs.
In 1957, artist Feliks Topolski (1907–1989) was commissioned by the Bank of England to sketch everyday life at its newly opened printing works in Debden, Essex.
As his drawings show, lots of women worked in the new printing factory.
In 1990 the Bank of England employed its first female banknote designer, Debbie Marriott, who still works here today.
She lead the team that designed the £20 and £50 polymer note, issued in 2020 and 2021. It will feature artist J. M. W. Turner (1775–1851).
Merlyn Lowther was the first woman to hold the post of Chief Cashier at the Bank of England. She held the post from 1999 to 2003.
The Chief Cashier’s signature appears on all Bank of England banknotes. The Series E £5 note was the first one Lowther signed.
Emma Cook also worked in banknote design.
This design is of the social reformer Elizabeth Fry (1780–1845). The portrait appeared on the Series E £5 banknote, issued between 2002 and 2017.
Victoria Cleland was the second woman to hold the post of Chief Cashier, between 2014 and 2018. She was succeeded by Sarah John in 2018.
