Atulkumar Patel MBE, Pilgrim Trust Trustee and Chair of the Trust’s nominations committee, comments:
‘The Trustees are delighted that our search for a new Chair culminated with the appointment of James Sassoon. His work in the culture and museum world, his public service and investment experience will be hugely valuable. He is a worthy successor to Sir Mark Jones, who has led the board with great skill, dedication and integrity. On behalf of all of the Trustees, I would like to thank Mark for all he has done for the Trust over the past 10 years.’
Sue Bowers, the Pilgrim Trust Director, comments:
‘I wish to extend a warm welcome to James Sassoon as he becomes our new Chair. I look forward to working closely with him in the coming years. I also join the Trustees of the Pilgrim Trust in acknowledging the sterling service of Sir Mark Jones .’
Lord Sassoon comments:
‘The Pilgrim Trust was set up by a great benefactor almost a century ago to support the urgent and future needs of the UK. It is wonderful that the Trust is still able to award some £3m in grants each year. I am delighted to be part of this work, particularly at a time of such need.’
Biography
Lord Sassoon Kt is President of the China-Britain Business Council and Chair of Sir John Soane’s Museum.
After qualifying as a Chartered Accountant, James joined investment bank SG Warburg in 1985. From 2002 to 2013 he was in HM Treasury as a civil servant, advisor and, from 2010, a Minister as the first Commercial Secretary to the Treasury. From 2013 to 2020 he was an Executive Director of Jardine Matheson.
Previous arts and not-for-profit experience includes as Chairman of the ifs School of Finance, Deputy Chair of the British Museum and as a Trustee of the National Gallery Trust, Trent Park Museum Trust and of the Gerald Coke Handel Foundation.
Photo © House of Lords / photography by Roger Harris