British Library Appoints UK Space Agency Chief Paul Bate as New CEO

On 4th November 2026, Dr. Paul Bate, who previously served as the head of the UK Space Agency from 2021 to 2026, will take on the role of Chief Executive at the British Library, succeeding Interim Chief Executive Dr. Jeremy Silver. During his tenure at the UK Space Agency, Bate achieved unprecedented national civil space funding and successfully negotiated increased investments with the European Space Agency. He has also chaired the international Committee on Earth Observation Satellites and held positions at Babylon Health and the Care Quality Commission. The British Library, which manages over 170 million items, is currently upgrading its infrastructure. Dame Carol Black highlighted Bate's extensive experience in research-focused organizations as crucial for the Library's future strategy, with Dr. Silver looking forward to ongoing advancements under Bate's guidance.