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Samira Ahmed elected as new C20 President

08/07/2025

Samira Ahmed, new C20 President
Image credit: FCO

We’re delighted to announce that following our 2025 AGM, Samira Ahmed has been elected as the new President of the Twentieth Century Society. She becomes the fifth female president in the Society’s 46 year history and succeeds Catherine Slessor, who stands down after four years in the role.

Samira is a journalist, broadcaster and writer whose work explores the intersection of popular culture, heritage, art, science, politics and social change. She presents the BBC’s flagship arts and culture show ‘Front Row’ on Radio 4 and ‘Newswatch’ on BBC1.

She was named British Broadcasting Press Guild Audio/Radio Presenter of the Year 2020, and her BBC4 documentary series ‘Art of Persia’ (2020) was the first major series filmed in Iran for 40 years. Her BFI Classic book on A Hard Day’s Night is due to be published by Bloomsbury in April 2026. It follows her uncovering the earliest complete concert recording of the band in the UK, made at Stowe School in 1963 – an investigation sparked by spotting a commemorative plaque on the school theatre building.

Samira is also a member of Historic England’s National Blue Plaques Panel; a trustee of the Centre for Women’s Justice; an Ambassador for the Theatres Trust; sits on the editorial review board of Doctor Who magazine, and is an honorary fellow of St Edmund Hall, Oxford. In 2024 she delivered the Institute of Conservation’s 6th Annual Lecture, on the theme of ‘Blue Plaques, anniversaries, and the art of reporting heritage’.

Samira Ahmed (left), Olivia Harrison (centre), and Duncan Wilson of Historic England (right), at the unveiling of a blue plaque commemorating George Harrison in Liverpool.
Image credit: Historic England

Comments

Samira Ahmed, C20 Society President:

“I grew up fascinated by the futuristic dreams made concrete in the leisure centres, cinemas, theatres, lidos and railways stations of Britain. As a culture journalist I’ve covered the complex story of our love for our built environment. And frankly it’s a joy to bring that personal passion to support the important campaigning work of C20 society.”

Catherine Croft, C20 Society Director:

“I am delighted that Samira Ahmed is joining the Society as our incoming President. As our remit ever expands, we continue to lead public debate around ‘what is modern heritage and who is it for?’ Samira’s expertise in how heritage issues are reported and her enthusiastic embrace of popular culture make her an ideal figurehead for the Society’s broad interests and activities. She follows in an illustrious line and will become the fifth female president in our near 50 year history.

As one of Britain’s most respected journalists and broadcasters, Samira’s incisive questioning always gets to the heart of an issue, with challenging yet entertaining perspectives; I look forward to working closely with her, as our high profile case continue to provoke controversy and discussion. I would also like to thank our outgoing President, Cath Slessor MBE, whose wit and erudition have enlivened many of our events and campaigns, while her expertise and targeted insights have been an invaluable contribution to our casework committee.”

Timeline of Society Presidents

Samira Ahmed follows in the footsteps of a highly diverse and talented cohort of previous Presidents of the Society. From inaugural president Sir Osbert Lancaster, the highly influential architectural cartoonist; to Margaret Ann Richardson, curator of the John Soane Musuem; Trevor Dannatt, co-architect of the Royal Festival Hall; and Fiona McCarthy, explosive biographer of sculptor Eric Gill and interviewer of the likes of David Hockney and John Lennon.