Dr Paul Belford retired as Chair and Trustee of the Museum Board at the end of April. Paul had served on the Board since March 2014 and took on the role of Chair in December 2020. He has stepped down to focus on his growing freelance archaeology consultancy, which now includes an increasing amount of international work. We thank Paul for his many years of thoughtful leadership and service to the Museum.
At its meeting on 24 April, the Board approved the appointment of Duncan Bedhall as Interim Chair. Duncan joined the Board in January 2018 and has chaired the Museum Enterprises Company since April 2021 — a role he will continue to hold. He is also a member of the Museum’s Financial Performance Scrutiny Committee.
The Board has engaged Saxton Bampfylde, a leading executive search and leadership consultancy, to support the recruitment of a new Chair. Their extensive networks and sector expertise will help ensure we attract a wide and diverse field of high-calibre candidates. This search is a significant strategic priority for the Museum, and several of our current and incoming Trustees will be closely involved in the process. We aim to make an appointment by the end of July.
Following an open recruitment process, we are pleased to announce that six new Trustees will join the Museum Board this year. Hasan Afzal, Dileep Marway, and Caroline Southall will begin their terms in June. Nicky Guy will join in August, and Emma Norris and Janet Chapman in October. We look forward to welcoming them and to the experience and insight they will bring. You’ll be able to learn more about our new trustees on our Board page online as they join the team.
As part of a broader commitment to transparency and engagement, the Board is also looking at ways to create more opportunities for staff to present directly at Board and Committee meetings. This will help ensure a broader range of voices are heard in strategic discussions.
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