The British Council is a non-departmental public body and registered charity for cultural relations in the United Kingdom. Its Chair is Lord Kinnock, the former leader of the Labour Party. It answers to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Overview
The British Council aims to build mutually beneficial cultural and educational relationships between people in the United Kingdom and in other countries, and increase appreciation of the United Kingdom's creative ideas and achievements. Its overseas network extends over 110 countries. Around 65% of its income is self-generated through teaching English, conducting examinations and managing aid and development projects. The remainder of the funding is provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, which is providing a grant of £186.2 million for the year beginning 2005.
Founded in 1934 as the British Committee for Relations with Other Countries, the British Council was inspired by Sir Reginald ("Rex") Leeper's recognition of the importance of "cultural propaganda" in promoting Britain.
Past Chairs
Past Chairs of the British Council have been:
- 1934 – 1937 Lord Tyrrell
- 1937 – 1941 Lord Lloyd
- 1941 – 1945 Sir Malcolm Robertson
- 1946 – 1955 Sir Ronald Adam
- 1955 – 1959 Sir David Kelly
- 1959 – 1967 Lord Bridges
- 1968 – 1971 Lord Fulton
- 1971 – 1972 Sir Leslie Rowan
- 1972 – 1976 Lord Ballantrae
- 1977 – 1984 Sir Charles Troughton
- 1985 – 1992 Sir David Orr
- 1992 – 1998 Sir Martin Jacomb
- 1998 – 2004 Baroness Helena Kennedy
Recognition
In 2005, along with the Alliance française, the Società Dante Alighieri, the Goethe-Institut, the Instituto Cervantes and the Instituto Camões, the British Council was awarded the Prince of Asturias Award for outstanding achievements in communications and the humanities.
Elton Awards
Since 2003 the British Council has awarded the "English Language Teaching Innovation Awards" ("Eltons")
See also
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