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The former CEO of the Barbican Centre, Claire Spencer, has received the Freedom of the City of London at Guildhall, in recognition of her leadership of the iconic Brutalist multi-arts and education venue. 

Instrumental during her two-year (2022-24) term in helping the City Corporation-owned Barbican Centre re-open and re-establish itself following the pandemic, Claire brought leadership and focus to its Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion agenda.

Claire progressed the Centre’s Barbican Renewal Programme, an ambitious and vital plan to secure the future of this internationally renowned, grade-II listed site. She was instrumental in securing the recently announced £191m contribution from the City of London Corporation for critical repairs and upgrades - around 80% of the total needed to deliver the first phase of the long-term vision. 

Claire was nominated for the Freedom by former Lord Mayor of London and Chair of the City Corporation’s Barbican Centre Board, Sir William Russell, and its former Chair, Tom Sleigh.

Claire was previously CEO at Arts Centre Melbourne between 2014 and 2022, where she led it through the pandemic and positioned it at the heart of a new AU$1 billion arts ­precinct at Melbourne’s Southbank. Prior to that, she held a series of roles at Sydney Opera House, culminating in Chief Operating Officer.

In Australia, Claire helped establish the Arts Wellbeing Collective, a consortium of arts and cultural organisations working together to promote positive mental health and wellbeing in the performing arts. 

She is a champion of women in leadership and a supporter of organisations and projects that provide scholarships and mentoring support to those from marginalised or disadvantaged backgrounds. 

In the 2020 Australia Day honours list, Claire was conferred a Member of the Order of Australia for her work in the performing arts.

Speaking after her ceremony at Guildhall, Claire Spencer said: 
"I was born and bred in London, before my career took me half-way around the world and back. 
“It is an honour to be recognised in this way, which is also a recognition for the whole Barbican team."

Policy Chairman of the City of London Corporation, Chris Hayward, said: 
“Throughout her tenure, Claire demonstrated exceptional leadership marked by compassion and understanding. She was totally committed to achieving the highest standards for both the Barbican and the City Corporation, while maintaining a strong focus on inclusivity.
“The award of the Freedom is often given to recognise an individual’s outstanding achievement and in Claire’s case, her legacy is her contribution towards the Barbican’s plans for renewal and continued success.”

Chair of the City Corporation’s Barbican Centre Board, Sir William Russell, said: 
“Claire’s Freedom award recognises the huge contribution that she made to the Barbican and to the wider City of London Corporation during her two years leading this remarkable and much-loved cultural powerhouse. 
“My colleagues and I are deeply grateful for everything that Claire did, and how she did it with a clear-headed and focused approach, a demonstrable commitment to the work, and a sense of humour.”

City Corporation elected Member, Tom Sleigh, said: 
“I was delighted to support Claire’s nomination for the Freedom, because it gives us an opportunity to show our thanks for her sterling work. 
“Her dedication to the task in hand – not least, bringing leadership to the EDI agenda, and affecting necessary change, and to being a tireless champion of the Barbican – deserves our respect and recognition.”

One of the City of London’s ancient traditions, the Freedom is believed to have begun in 1237 and enabled recipients to carry out their trade. 

As well as being nominated for, or applying for, the Freedom, it is also offered by the City of London Corporation to individuals as a way of paying tribute to their outstanding contribution to London or public life, or to celebrate a very significant achievement.

Recent high-profile recipients include former Chief Economist at the Bank of England, Andy Haldane; ‘Hamilton’ actor and musician, Giles Terera; Chief Medical Officer for England, Sir Chris Whitty; and former Managing Director and Chief Privacy Officer at the London Stock Exchange, Vivienne Artz.