After a successful career as a solicitor in central London where she was recognised as a leading advertising lawyer, Vanessa Hall-Smith’s dream of one day moving to Italy became a reality when she took up the position of the British Institute of Florence in January 2004. “I had reached a point in my professional life when I was ready to make changes and embrace new challenges and I feel very privileged to have had this opportunity.”

The British Institute of Florence was established in the closing stages of the First World War with the aim of promoting cultural exchange between Italy and the UK. Registered as a UK charity, the Institute maintains an archive and library containing the largest collections of English books in Italy, organises cultural events and runs courses in Italian and English language and culture, history of art, drawing and painting.

“Living in a city which was at the heart of one of the most creative periods in Western history provides a constant reminder of what can be achieved through artistic and intellectual endeavour. One of the most satisfying aspects of my job is when students experience a sense of enrichment through exposure to great works of art”.

Vanessa believes strongly in the importance of lifelong learning and realising individual potential “We need to know what we are, or could be, good at and how to develop our strengths rather than worry about our weaknesses” she maintains. Her plans for developing the Institute’s educational role include the extension of links with universities and other institutions and the establishment of more scholarships and bursaries for those wishing to study History of Art in Florence.

She also has plans to broaden the Institute’s archival and research work through a number of projects, including the creation of a database of individuals from outside Italy who visited Tuscany from 1700 onwards and whose visit left a mark in some way, through their own writing or painting, through diplomatic work or in the business field. “This is an ambitious project but once realised will be an invaluable tool for scholars and all those with an interest in Italy and the legacy of foreign visitors to Tuscany”.

Vanessa has two daughters and four cats.