Misan Harriman's departure as chair of London's revered Southbank Centre is set to send shockwaves through the cultural scene this autumn. The high-profile exit, confirmed in a social media post, marks the end of a tenure that was marked by controversy and intense public scrutiny.
The drama surrounding Harriman's time at the helm has been as explosive as a top-flight football match, with his every move under the microscope. Accusations flew thick and fast after he shared a post questioning the media coverage given to the Muslim victim in the Golders Green attack, sparking fears that it downplayed the antisemitic nature of the incident. Then came the storm over England's local election results, when Harriman waded into controversy by comparing Reform voters' gains to the Holocaust, quoting Susan Sontag in a video that ignited outrage.
But the Southbank Centre is adamant that Harriman's decision to step down was made long before the recent media furore. A spokesperson insisted that his departure is unrelated to the 'antisemitism' row, claiming it was communicated to the deputy chair as far back as January. The embattled chair himself seemed to allude to the chaos in a video, but stopped short of directly addressing the allegations.
Harriman's tenure has been marked by some notable successes, including Harry Styles' Meltdown festival and exhibitions by artists such as Anish Kapoor and Nan Goldin. He hailed the Southbank Centre as 'sacred 11 acres', expressing pride in his role as chair and highlighting its strong health under his leadership – a sentiment that may be put to the test as the institution prepares to celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2026.
The controversy surrounding Harriman's comments has left the cultural sector on high alert, with concerns about the potential impact on public funding and corporate sponsorship. Editorials have warned of damage to the centre's reputation, deterring sponsors and threatening its future viability. But not everyone is convinced – an open letter signed by figures including Greta Thunberg and Gary Lineker has defended Harriman, accusing critics of a 'dishonest smear campaign'.
The Southbank Centre is already planning for life after Harriman, with succession details expected to emerge after their Annual General Meeting in July. Meanwhile, he's taken his battle with the media to the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), lodging an official complaint over the coverage of his tenure.