Vincent Keaveny CBE is Senior Adviser at international law firm DLA Piper, and a former Lord Mayor of the City of London.
Vincent Keaveny CBE has been appointed to the role of Chair of Governors at the Charterhouse. His term will commence in November when the current Chair, Major General Andrew Ritchie CBE, steps down. There are sixteen Governors who are the charity trustees and together they comprise the Assembly of Governors, a body created by Thomas Sutton when he established the charity then called Sutton’s Hospital in Charterhouse in 1611. Historic Governors have included John Donne, Francis Bacon Lord St Alban, Robert Peele and Judge Jeffries, along with every British monarch from James I onwards. The Assembly meets three times a year and is assisted by several specialist sub-committees. The Chair of the Charterhouse is not a remunerated role.
Major General Andrew Ritchie CBE, outgoing Chair of Governors says:
“Vincent brings a wealth of experience and knowledge which will be of enormous value to the Charterhouse. He will be an excellent Chair and is well placed to manage the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.”
Vincent Keaveny CBE says:
“I am delighted to have this opportunity to Chair such an historic organisation; over the years I have come to recognise the Charterhouse as an important element of the City that happens to be located just yards outside the City’s limits. I am very much looking forward to working with the Governors and team to ensure that the Charterhouse is the best home possible for the residents, and a wonderful place to visit to enjoy its spectacular heritage”.
Peter Aiers OBE, Chief Executive and Master of the Charterhouse adds:
“We are really thrilled to welcome Vincent to the Charterhouse and to our community; it is exciting to have someone with his skills, experience and network join as our Chair. We are very much looking forward to working with him to deliver our strategic vision as well as to develop stronger relationships with our neighbours in the City of London”
Vincent has a background in law and finance and has extensive experience serving on City of London Corporation committees and boards of cultural and charitable organisations. Prior to his current role he was a Partner advising on finance and capital markets transactions internationally, and until 2019 was International Co-Chair of the Financial Services Sector at DLA Piper. In 2014-15 he served as President of the City of London Law Society, and he is an Honorary Bencher of Gray’s Inn.
Having previously served as Sheriff of the City of London in 2018-19, Vincent was Lord Mayor of the City of London in 2021-22. His Mayoral theme – People and Purpose – championed a purpose-led and people-focused UK Financial & Professional Services (FPS) sector. He co-chaired the HM Treasury and Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) sponsored Socio-Economic Diversity Taskforce and is Chair of Progress Together, the financial services membership body promoting greater socio-economic diversity in the financial services industry.
In 2013 he was elected Alderman of the Ward of Farringdon Within, one of the 25 wards of the City of London, and he has served on several City of London Corporation Committees currently including the Policy & Resources and Epping Forest & Commons Committees. He chairs the Samuel Wilson’s Loan Trust, is a Governor of the City of London School and took office as Governor of The Honourable The Irish Society in April 2024, a City charity that operates to benefit the residents of the county of Derry/Londonderry. Vincent was Master Solicitor in 2014-15, a Master Woolman in 2023-24, and is also a Liveryman of the Distillers’, Spectacle Makers’, Stationers’, Framework Knitters’, Upholders’ and Security Professionals Companies.
He is the senior independent trustee of Sir John Soane’s Museum, chairs the board of the vocal ensemble, Exaudi, is a director of Actors Touring Company and a Council member of Gresham College.
Vincent was awarded a CBE and honoured by the Vatican as a Knight Commander of the Order of St. Gregory the Great in 2023.
The Charterhouse is an almshouse and housing charity that has been in operation since 1611, and cares for a community of residents in the historic location of the Charterhouse. With origins dating back to the 14th century when the land which is now Charterhouse Square was used as a burial site for plague victims, the Charterhouse has been a Carthusian monastery, a grand Tudor mansion and later an almshouse and school. Today as a contemporary almshouse our residents, who are still known as Brothers although no longer exclusively men, are at the heart of our community. We welcome visitors to come and enjoy the heritage of the site with free access to the museum display and Chapel during opening hours, or by booking onto a tour or special event to experience more of our site including our courtyard gardens.
