The Bank of England has confirmed the Atlantic puffin, barn owl, buff-tailed bumblebee and European hedgehog will feature as the central images on the next series of UK banknotes, concluding a public consultation that attracted nearly 500,000 responses. The four animals, one for each denomination, were chosen to enhance counterfeit resilience through visual distinctiveness while showcasing British wildlife.
Key Takeaways
- Four animals selected: Atlantic puffin, barn owl, buff-tailed bumblebee, European hedgehog
- Nearly 500,000 public responses to wildlife consultation; nature theme had 60% support
- Animals chosen partly for counterfeit resilience through visual distinctiveness across denominations
- First new denomination expected within 'the next few years'; denomination assignments pending
- Incoming Chief Cashier Rhys Phillips to oversee design, testing and production
Executive Intelligence Brief
Selection Process and Public Consultation
The decision follows a two-stage consultation process. In July 2025, the Bank launched a theme consultation receiving over 44,000 responses; nature emerged as the preferred theme with 60% support, confirmed in March 2026. A specialist wildlife panel comprising filmmaker Gordon Buchanan MBE and academic Dawn Scott of Nottingham Trent University then developed a shortlist of 18 native species across three categories: mammals, birds, and amphibians, insects and fish.
A second consultation launched on 3 June 2026 ran for one month, drawing nearly half a million responses. The barn owl, buff-tailed bumblebee and European hedgehog topped their respective categories, while the Atlantic puffin was selected as the most popular marine animal to add environmental variety and celebrate the British coastline.
Security and Design Rationale
The Bank emphasized that the selected animals meet objectives for a 'distinctive set of banknotes that can support counterfeit resilience.' The inclusion of a marine species alongside terrestrial and aerial species creates visual differentiation across denominations, a critical security feature for public authentication. The new series will retain the monarch's portrait and may incorporate other shortlisted animals as secondary design elements.
Chief Cashier Victoria Cleland noted the response volume demonstrates 'cash still matters,' while incoming Chief Cashier Rhys Phillips, who will oversee delivery, highlighted the combination of announced imagery with 'cutting-edge security features and materials science.'
Production Timeline and Next Steps
The Bank confirmed it takes 'a number of years to design, test and print banknotes' to ensure quality, resilience and accessibility. The first denomination from the new series is expected to launch 'over the next few years.' The specific assignment of animals to the £5, £10, £20 and £50 denominations will be announced closer to launch.
Market and Operational Context
While primarily a currency design decision, the transition to a new polymer series has operational implications for cash handlers, ATM operators, and retail systems requiring software updates for note recognition. The Bank's focus on counterfeit resilience addresses ongoing security requirements, though current counterfeit rates remain historically low at under 0.004% of notes in circulation.
