Loyd Grossman is an entrepreneur, author and broadcaster, well-known for presenting TV programmes including MasterChef, Through the Keyhole and Behind the Headlines. He has a lifelong interest in history, the arts and heritage, receiving a PhD from the University of Cambridge and serving on the board of a number of cultural institutions including English Heritage, the British School at Rome and the Public Monuments and Sculpture Association. He is Chairman of The Royal Parks, President of The Arts Society and a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. In June 2015 he was appointed CBE in recognition of his services to Heritage.
Loyd’s previous work includes the major study Benjamin West and the Struggle to be Modern (Merrell Publishers, 2015). His new book An Elephant In Rome: Bernini, The Pope, And The Making Of The Eternal City is published in Pallas Athene in June 2020.
Loyd Grossman CBE is an entrepreneur, author and broadcaster. Born in Boston in 1950, he began his career as a journalist writing for music publications including Rolling Stone, Fusion, and Vibrations whilst studying as an undergraduate at Boston University (BA).
He went on to work for Harpers & Queen and The Sunday Times before becoming a writer and presenter for a wide range of television programmes including Through the Keyhole, MasterChef, Behind the Headlines, History of British Sculpture, Loyd on Location and Build Britain. He also wrote and presented a series, Composers at Home, for BBC Radio 3.
Loyd’s knowledge of and fascination with food led him to create his own brand in 1995, which became Britain’s most successful new premium food brand.
He has a lifelong interest in history, the arts and heritage, receiving a PhD from the University of Cambridge and serving on the board of a number of cultural institutions including English Heritage, the British School at Rome and the Public Monuments and Sculpture Association. He is Chairman of The Royal Parks, President of The Arts Society and a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. He founded the 24 Hour Museum (now Culture 24) and was its Chairman until 2005. In June 2015 he was appointed CBE in recognition of his services to Heritage.
As an author, Loyd’s books include a major study of Benjamin West published by Merrell Publishers in 2015. His new book An Elephant In Rome: Bernini, The Pope, And The Making Of The Eternal City is published by Pallas Athene in June 2020.
Loyd is a keen guitarist and he and his band – The New Forbidden – made their eighth appearance at Glastonbury in June 2019.
Current titles/associations:
– Chairman of The Royal Parks
– Chairman of Gresham College
– Honorary Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Glaziers
– Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Carpenters
– Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries
– Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
– Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine
– Fellow of the Royal Historical Society
Loyd has also served as:
– Commissioner of the Museums and Galleries Commission
– Commissioner of English Heritage (where he was Chairman of the Museums Advisory Committee and the Blue Plaques Panel)
– Commissioner of the Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England
– Founding member of the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council
– Board member for the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions
– Member of the Council of the British School at Rome
– Chairman of National Museums Liverpool
– Chairman Public Monuments and Sculpture Association
– Deputy Chairman of Liverpool European Capital of Culture
– President of the British Association of Friends of Museums
– Master of the Worshipful Company of Arts Scholars
Honorary degrees
– Doctor of Letters degree from the University of Chester in recognition of his heritage work (2007)
– Doctor of Arts degree from the University of Lincoln in recognition of his contribution to the cultural heritage sector (2011)
– Honorary Doctor of the University of Essex in recognition of his contribution to tourism and hospitality (2014
