The Thomas Layton Collection met on Wednesday 15 July 2026 to discuss the trust's accounts and investments, and to receive updates on the cataloguing of the collection and activities at the Museum of London. The meeting also planned to review the Gunnersbury update.

Update on Trust Accounts/Investments

The meeting was scheduled to receive an update on the trust's accounts and investments from Seamus Mooney. The financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2025 were included in the report pack. These documents detailed the trust's income and expenditure, showing an income of £6,867 and expenditure of £2,136, resulting in a net income of £22,247. The investments portfolio, managed by BlackRock Investment Managers and CCLA Investment Management Ltd, was valued at £197,560 at the end of 2025, with net unrealised investment gains of £17,516 for the year. The report highlighted that the trust's income is primarily derived from investment income, and reserves are maintained at a level to generate this income. The trustees confirmed their intention to continue adopting the going concern basis for preparing the financial statements, citing adequate resources and future support.

Thomas Layton Collection Cataloguing

An update was scheduled regarding the cataloguing of the Thomas Layton Collection, with Claire Powell providing information. The report indicated that following the relocation of a portion of the collection to Stockroom London in November 2024, efforts were to be made to create a comprehensive electronic catalogue. This project, which would involve skilled volunteers, was anticipated to take several years to complete. The existing catalogue spreadsheet, which detailed items at Feltham Library, was being updated to include the items now stored at Stockroom London. The report noted that the condition of the books at Stockroom London was yet to be assessed.

London Museum Update

Kate Sumnall, Curator of London's Prehistory, was expected to provide an update on activities at the Museum of London. The report pack detailed the closure of the Secrets of the Thames exhibition at London Museum Docklands on 1 March 2026, which had attracted approximately 63,500 visitors and received positive reviews. The exhibition had featured over 250 mudlarked objects, including a tranchet adze from the Layton Collection. The report also mentioned ongoing work on the Collections Information and Upgrade Project, involving the auditing, barcoding, and repacking of the museum's collections in preparation for the move to West Smithfield. This included the relocation of 1113 objects from the Layton Collection stored in the General Store to a new storage space at Eagle Wharf Road. Furthermore, the museum was focusing on digital transformation, with curators working to update database records and online content. The report also noted that Kate Sumnall continued to use a Layton Bronze Age sword in her online school sessions focused on prehistory, which were attended by numerous schools.

Gunnersbury Update

Howard Simmons was scheduled to provide an update on Gunnersbury. The report pack indicated that this update would focus on Lottery proposals for the southern side of the park, including elements of the Small Mansion, and that a funding bid had recently been submitted. A further update was planned for the trust's next meeting.