Sir Richard Heaton

Heaton is the new chair of the government art collection committee

Photo: Wardens’ Lodge, Robinson College

Changing Faces

New Chair named for government art collection

Arts Professional
1 min read

Sir RICHARD HEATON has been named Chair of the Advisory Committee for the Government Art Collection, which places works of British art in UK government buildings worldwide. His four-year term began this month, succeeding Sir DAVID VEREY, who held the role for a decade.

Containing more than 14,700 works spanning six centuries, the Government Art Collection curates across ministerial offices in the UK, embassies and diplomatic residences abroad. It also participates in loans, partnerships and a public programme.

Previously, Heaton had a career in the civil service including as Permanent Secretary at the Cabinet Office from 2012 to 2015 and Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Justice from 2015 to 2020.

In 2021, he became Warden of Robinson College, University of Cambridge and is also Chair of Trustees at Koestler Arts, which promotes art and creativity in prisons. 

Heaton said he has long  admired the Government Art Collection as it “brings art to the workplace and to the public, it supports practising artists, and it quietly speaks for the UK around the world".