The Garrick Club has been under pressure to change its rules to allow female members. After years of debate, and accusations that it is an elite and misogynistic institution, change may finally happen later this year when its current members are likely to be asked to vote again on the issue. A Guardian investigation into those who will help decide on this issue reveals a host of people in public life who are members of the club – from the head of the civil service to the chief of MI6, and the deputy prime minister to high court judges. A list of some of the most prominent members of the men-only Garrick reveals the club’s central position as a bulwark of the British establishment, featuring scores of leading lawyers, heads of publicly funded arts institutions and King Charles. We approached all of those pictured for comment. Most declined to do so, but we have included responses from those who did