Building the Treasury: a lunchtime talk

In the event that online bookings for this event have sold out, you may still be able to attend on the day. Please note however that walk‑in slots are offered on a first‑come, first‑served basis after ticket-holders have been seated and depend on venue capacity.

About this talk

When: Wednesday 3 June, 1pm to 2pm

The Bank of England Museum’s current exhibition tells the story of the rebuilding of the Bank in 1925 – but what do we know about the history of the buildings occupied by the Treasury?

This is a history that is full of surprises. HM Treasury, despite being one of the oldest institutions of the British state, does not occupy its own purpose-built offices. Since the 17th Century, the Treasury has repeatedly moved around Whitehall, London and more recently the rest of the UK – usually in response to unexpected events like fires, wars and pandemics. Despite this, both the institution and its people – including some of its most famous former staff – have remained incredibly flexible and resilient.

About the speaker

In this talk Mario Pisani (Co-Chair of the Treasury History Network) explores how 350 years of Treasury buildings have contributed to the unique character of the institution.

Mario Pisani is the Deputy Director for the Financial Stability Group at HM Treasury. Since joining the Treasury, he has worked in international finance, economic policy, forecasting and communications. He was previously Private Secretary to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

He is also the co-chair of the Treasury History Network, a staff association which promoted the understanding and use of the Treasury's institutional history within the policy development process.

He is a Visiting Professor at King's College London, a Trustee of the Royal Mint Museum, and Councillor for the Society of Professional Economists. He speaks and publishes on a range of topics relating to the history of HM Treasury.

Essential information:

• The event is free to attend, but booking is required.
• The talk will take place in the Museum's Learning Space, which is located at the back of the Museum adjacent to the Rotunda. A staff member at the Information Desk can advise on how to get there from the entrance.
• The talk will begin at 1pm. Please ensure you arrive promptly to the Museum's Learning Space for this time. Please note, there is airport-style security at the Museum's entrance.
• We cannot guarantee admittance if you are late for the talk, even if you have booked a ticket.
• If you were unable to book a ticket, you may still be able to attend on the day. Please note however that walk‑in slots are offered on a first‑come, first‑served basis after ticket-holders have been seated and depend on venue capacity. Otherwise, consider signing up to our newsletter; all our subscribers receive early access tickets for our events.
• Seating is unallocated, unless stated otherwise. We encourage arriving to the Learning Space at 12.45pm to get a good seat.
• For access enquiries, visit our Museum's accessibility page.

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