Tom Goldsmith appointed as Clerk of the House of Commons
30 March 2023
Tom Goldsmith has today been named as the 52nd Clerk of the House of Commons, following approval from The King.
Tom follows in the footsteps of Sir John Benger, who leaves the House on 30 September to take up the role of Master of St Catharine’s College Cambridge.
His Majesty's approval follows an open competition and selection process. The final interview panel was chaired by Mr Speaker and made up of an independent non-executive member, the Leader of the House, the Shadow Leader of the House and the three Deputy Speakers. An engagement exercise with Trade Unions and Workplace Equality Networks was also part of the selection process.
Tom Goldsmith joined the House Service in 1996 and has performed a wide variety of roles, including Secretary to the House of Commons Commission and Head of the Committee Office. He is currently Principal Clerk of the Table Office. He is also the co-author of the 8th edition of How Parliament Works.
The Clerk of the House of Commons – officially known as the Under Clerk of the Parliaments – is the chief adviser to the House on matters of parliamentary procedure, privilege and broader constitutional issues.
The post holder is also head of the House of Commons Service, a member of the House of Commons Commission and the Chair of the Commons Executive Board.
Tom Goldsmith commented: “To be appointed to this historic role is an honour and a privilege.
“I would like to pay tribute to Sir John Benger for all the work he has done over his many years of service to the House. He has been an outstanding Clerk – not least in the way he inspired the House Service to innovate so successfully when faced with the challenge of Covid-19.
“Sir John is the toughest of acts to follow but as I do so I know I will have the privilege of working with exceptional colleagues from across the House. Every one of them helps to make Parliament work through their commitment and professionalism.”
Rt Hon Lindsay Hoyle MP, Speaker of the House of Commons said: “I am delighted that after a rigorous and robust process, we now have an excellent appointment in Tom Goldsmith.
“Tom has many outstanding qualities to take the House Service forward, and he will be a distinguished successor to Sir John Benger to whom I pay tribute for his many years of service to the House.”
Read more about the role of the Clerk of the House here.