Hartwig Fischer, Director of British Museum.

Photo: Benedict Johnson

Changing Faces

Fischer to leave British Museum

Arts Professional
2 min read

British Museum Director HARTWIG FISCHER will step down in 2024 following eight years at the helm.  

A German art historian, Fischer was appointed in 2016 with the task to develop a Masterplan for the museum’s renovation, a project which will take several decades to complete. Details of the Masterplan are due to be published in autumn, followed by an international architectural competition. 

Fischer spearheaded the first phase of the project, which saw the creation of a new research and storage facility – the British Museum Archaeological Research Collection – scheduled to open in Reading next year. 

He has also overseen the refurbishment of galleries, including the Sir Joseph Hotung Gallery of China and South Asia, the Mitsubishi Corporation Japanese Galleries, and the Albukhary Foundation Gallery of the Islamic World.

Saying it was time to pass on leadership, Fischer said he will “push ahead with our plans and secure a successful transition”. 

“Looking ahead, I am excited about the next phase of my career, moving beyond the institutional framework of a single museum to engage in the rescue and preservation of cultural heritage in times of climate crisis, conflict, war, and violence.”

British Museum Chair GEORGE OSBORNE thanked Fischer for his “incredible service” and leading the staff through “difficult periods” including the pandemic and inflationary pressures. 

“He has been an intellectual tour de force, helping the British Museum present its collection to new audiences in new ways in brilliant exhibitions like Stonehenge and China’s Hidden Century.

“Above all, he has been a person of integrity, inquiry and industry who has given everything to the British Museum over these years.”

Culture Secretary LUCY FRAZER said Fischer demonstrated “sterling leadership” and left a “valuable legacy”.

“The British Museum will continue to thrive and I look forward to seeing what the next chapter in this great institution's history holds.”

An international search for Fischer’s successor will begin in autumn.