Bank of England to Replace Historical Figures with Wildlife on Future Banknotes

The Bank of England will replace portraits of historical figures like Winston Churchill and Jane Austen with wildlife—foxes, sharks, and puffins—on its next banknote series. The decision follows a July 2025 public consultation that favored nature-themed designs. A second consultation in summer 2026 will decide which animals appear on which denominations. Full rollout is years away, pending design and security testing.