Churchill to be replaced by wildlife on future Bank of England banknotes

"The key driver for introducing a new banknote series is always to increase counterfeit resilience. But it also provides an opportunity to celebrate different aspects of the UK. Nature is a great choice from a banknote authentication perspective and means we can showcase the UK's rich and varied wildlife."

"Future designs for £5, £10, £20 and £50 notes will focus on animals, birds and other aspects of the natural world, marking a significant departure from more than half a century of celebrating historical personalities on UK currency."

"More than 44,000 people took part in the consultation, with around 60 per cent of respondents selecting nature and wildlife as their preferred theme for future notes. Other themes considered included architecture and landmarks (56 per cent), historical figures (38 per cent), arts, culture and sport (30 per cent)."

The Bank of England announced plans to redesign British banknotes by replacing portraits of historical figures with wildlife and natural world imagery. Churchill, Austen, Turner, and Turing will gradually disappear from circulation, though the monarch remains on the reverse. A public consultation involving over 44,000 people showed 60% preferred nature and wildlife themes, followed by architecture and landmarks at 56%. The redesign prioritizes enhanced security and counterfeit resilience while showcasing British identity through natural heritage. The monarch will continue appearing on all banknotes during this transition.

Read at Business Matters