Royal Academy Trust appoints new Chair

BATIA OFER will join the Royal Academy Trust as Chair in December. 

She succeeds Lady ALISON MYNERS, who steps down following five years in the post. SALLY TENNANT, appointed a trustee in May, steps up to Vice-Chair, replacing ROB SUSS.  

An art collector and philanthropist, Ofer established Art of Wishes in 2017, a charitable initiative which raises funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. 

She also oversees the Idan and Batia Ofer Family Foundation, which supports social causes through funding projects in health, education, welfare, arts, and culture.

Ofer holds board, trustee and advisory-level positions at the Victoria and Albert Museum, Sotheby’s and Harvard Kennedy School. Previously, she chaired the Education Committee at the Serpentine Gallery. 

Speaking of her appointment to the Royal Academy Trust, Ofer commented: “The RA is such an important and unique institution, and I’m absolutely delighted to embark upon this new leadership role with Sally Tennant as Vice-Chair.

“It is a great privilege to follow in the footsteps of Lady Alison Myners, who has led the Trust so successfully over the last five years.”

Myners added: “From sponsoring an early Terry Frost show to immersing myself in the launch of successive Summer Exhibitions, the Royal Academy has been a second home for me. 

“But what I have treasured more than anything else is the opportunity to work with the Royal Academy Schools to help emerging artists launch themselves into the world. That is what the Royal Academy has always been for. 

“I am so proud to have played a small part in the history of this extraordinary place. I leave the Trust in the exceptionally capable hands of Batia Ofer and Sally Tennant.”