We are delighted and proud to announce that Hofesh Shechter Company Chair Gerard Lemos CMG CBE has been granted a life peerage and was introduced to the House of Lords as Baron Lemos, of Thornton Heath in the London Borough of Croydon CMG CBE on 3 February 2025. He made his maiden speech on the Creative Industries in the House on 6 February, viewable on iPlayer here.
Lord Lemos CMG CBE is a social policy expert, author of a number of publications examining the role communities can play in our society and how to support vulnerable people. He is a Lead Non-executive Director of His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service, where he chairs the Agency Board. He is also the Chair of the Board of National Savings & Investments and London Institute of Banking and Finance.
Lord Lemos has been involved in renovating historic buildings for decades and was appointed Chair of English Heritage in 2023. His heritage experience includes his years as a trustee at Dartington Hall in Devon, where this medieval house and listed garden became a centre for progressive learning in the arts, ecology and social justice.
Lord Lemos previously served as Deputy Chair and Acting Chair of the British Council, was founding Chair of Akram Khan Company and has been Chair of Hofesh Shechter Company since December 2017.
Born in India, Lord Lemos grew up in Croydon and studied History and English at the University of York.