Headshot of Sue Hoyle
Changing Faces

Foundling Museum appoints new Chair

Ruth Hogarth
2 min read

The Foundling Museum in London has announced the appointment of SUE HOYLE OBE as its new Chair, succeeding LARISSA JOY OBE. 

Hoyle has held a number of leadership roles in the arts including Director of Clore Leadership, Deputy Secretary-General for Arts Council England and Executive Director of The Place.

She is a trustee of the Royal Opera House – chairing its Learning and Participation Committee, a Board member of Fuel Theatre and a Commissioner for the Judicial Appointments Commission.

The Foundling Museum celebrates care-experienced people, and those who care for them. It tells the story of the Foundling Hospital, established in 1739 as a home for children whose mothers couldn’t keep or care for them. It was the UK’s first children’s charity, now named Coram, and the first public art gallery, now sited at the Foundling Museum. 

EMMA RIDGEWAY, Director of the Foundling Museum said: "We are thrilled that Sue Hoyle will be joining the Foundling Museum given her substantial achievements in different roles across the arts… Sue’s decades of championing inclusion in the arts goes hand-in-hand with the Foundling Museum’s excellent creative programmes with care-leavers and early years that enrich so many lives.

"Larissa Joy has been an outstanding Chair. She led our successful entry into Arts Council England’s National Portfolio (2023-27) that we are proud to be part of. She spearheaded the negotiations and major fundraising campaign to secure the long-term future of the Museum and has built an exceptional Board of trustees."

Speaking of her appointment, Hoyle said: "I am honoured to be appointed as Chair of the Board of Trustees… The Museum plays a unique role, celebrating centuries of artistic and social activism for early years and care-experienced young people. [It] is an inspiring model for cultural philanthropy. It is a privilege to help contribute to the future of this vital museum."

Joy added: "It has been a huge privilege to have worked alongside a very special group of people who have served and supported the Foundling Museum in its growth journey over the last nine years… Sue will do an outstanding job of leading the Board and partnering with Emma Ridgway and her leadership team and the Museum’s supporters to develop this vibrant Museum in the next exciting chapter of its life.”