M25 SpeedMeet
Welcome to M25 SpeedMeet. Every month we meet someone working in an M25 member institution and ask them to tell us a little bit about themselves.
One of the three strategic themes of the M25 Strategic Plan is connecting and collaborating through our network. Our aim is to provide a regional network whose members offer multiple perspectives that can inform decision making, and facilitate opportunities for networking and joint working on shared issues. What better way to do this than to meet?
Record it or write it
We’re keen to meet even more members so if you’d like to feature in the M25 SpeedMeet, please contact m25libadmin@london.ac.uk. You can send in your replies to our questions or alternatively video your answers and we’ll show the video here.
April 2025: Polly Mortimer
Who are you, where are you based and what do you do?
I’m Polly Mortimer. I’m based at British Psychotherapy Foundation (BPF), and I’m Library Manager and Learning Support Lead.
What do you most enjoy about your job?
I enjoy supporting trainees and staff, immersing myself in the subject of psychotherapy,
(endlessly fascinating!) and working with students to support their learning with one-to-one
sessions. The camaraderie at BPF is great, and they are a wonderfully unageist
organization (my line manager is 40 years younger than me).
What motivates you in your work?
I have a strong desire to keep improving services for those in any sort of emotional and mental
distress by supporting the next generations of trainees to give their best in the future. I am also motivated by the appreciation of the trainees when I have helped them overcome blocks to learning.
How has/can the M25 Consortium support you in your career?
I’ve only just joined but I am very pleased at the wide range of activities and different
angles covered by M25. The task and finish groups look fantastic, and I think the CPD is
better than I’ve seen elsewhere. Also the fact that visits to other libraries are available as
a member.
What would it surprise people to know about you?
I have another life as a crafter. I’ve exhibited quite a few of my works
(brutalist/subversive needlepoint) around London, at the Tavistock Clinic and Hornsey
Library in Haringey.
Complete the sentence: If I wasn’t working in a library I would be
If I wasn’t working in a library I would be doing an MA in community music because I
started one but had to put it off because of the pandemic. I love making music
(singing/piano/melodeon/recorder) and have sung in a group for a long time.
Polly Mortimer, Library Manager and Learning Support Lead, British Psychotherapy Foundation
Read more SpeedMeet interviews here:
2025
Ian Clark, Academic Services Manager, University of East London
2024
Chris Foreman, Associate Director of Library Services at University of the Arts, London
Vicky Robertson, Deputy Librarian, UCL School of Pharmacy Library
Laura Scullion, Administrator (Events & Programmes), M25 Consortium of Academic Libraries
Dave Puplett, Associate Director, Libraries and Academic Enhancement, University of Greenwich
Fiona Ainsworth, Head of Library and Archives at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Dianne Shepherd, The British Museum, Senior Librarian
Jill Howard, M25 Consortium of Academic Libraries, Operations Manager
Cliff Van Dort, National Archives, Kew, Head of Library
Camilla Churchill, British Medical Association, Library and Archive Lead
Chloe Carson-Ashurst, The National Gallery, Library Assistant
2020-2023
Birgit Fraser, Anglia Ruskin University, Assistant Director – Academic and Content Services
Sarah Pipkin, UCL – Outreach and Exhibitions Coordinator, Special Collections Library
Anna Gillis, Royal Veterinary College – Research Support Librarian
Rachel Geeson, Anglia Ruskin University – Assistant Director, Customer Services
Jennifer Domingo, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine – Library Assistant
Emma Wisher, University of Essex – Assistant Director for User Engagement
Louise Ellis-Barrett, British Museum – Librarian Acquisitions and Projects
Paul Johnson, University of Surrey – Director of Library and Learning Services
Sara Burnett, Kingston University – Information Specialist
Robert Atkinson, Birkbeck, University of London – Director of Library Services
Laura MacCulloch, Royal Holloway, University of London – Curator
Rowan Williamson, UAL – Associate Director of Library Services and Support
Frances Willis, National Art Library at the V&A – Assistant Librarian
Robin Armstrong Viner, Courtauld Institute of Art – Head of Library Services
Adam Edwards, Middlesex University – Library Liaison Manager
Linda Coombs, Buckinghamshire New University – Library and Learning Resources Manager
Liz Pinel, Royal College of Nursing Library and Archive – Customer Services Manager
David Allen, Royal Society of Chemistry – Librarian
Russell Burke, LSHTM – Assistant Librarian
Verity Allison, St George’s, University of London – Journals and E-Resources Librarian