British Museum appoints Director for ‘new chapter’

NICHOLAS CULLINAN has been named as the new Director of the British Museum.

Cullinan has led the National Portrait Gallery since April 2015. Before that, he worked as a curator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and Tate Modern in London.

Nicholas will begin his new role in the summer, taking over from Interim Director MARK JONES, who was appointed last September amid the museum’s ongoing theft scandal.

Previous Director Dr HARTWIG FISCHER stepped down in August after it was revealed thousands of items had been stolen from the museum's collection, a matter currently under investigation by the police and over which the British Museum is taking legal action.

Cullinan’s appointment comes as the museum prepares for a major redevelopment after signing a controversial £50m funding deal with fossil fuel giant BP.

GEORGE OSBOURNE, Chair of the British Museum, said: “The Trustees chose Nicholas Cullinan as the new Director of the British Museum because he brings proven leadership today and great potential for tomorrow. 

“He has shown his capacity as Director of the National Portrait Gallery to oversee both a major physical renovation and a compelling renewal of purpose in a way that doesn’t take sides but brings people together – and won universal acclaim. We believe he can achieve this and more on the bigger scale of the British Museum as we undertake a once-in-a-generation redevelopment."

Calling the British Museum “one of the greatest museums in the world,” Cullinan said it was “an honour” to become its Director as it embarks on “a new chapter.”

“This will encompass the most significant transformations, both architectural and intellectual, happening in any museum globally, to continue making the British Museum the most engaged and collaborative it can be," said Cullinan.