The Prime Minister has appointed Ian Blatchford as the new Director and Chief Executive of the National Museum of Science and Industry (NMSI), the national museum group which oversees the Science Museum, the National Railway Museum and the National Media Museum in the United Kingdom.
Ian Blatchford, currently Deputy Director of the Victoria & Albert Museum, will take up his appointment in October 2010 with overall responsibility for the strategic direction of the NMSI group, following the retirement of Andrew Scott CBE on 30th September 2010.
Making the announcement, Dr Douglas Gurr, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of NMSI said, “On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Andrew for the outstanding contribution he has made over the past 16 years and to wish him and his family the very best in his well deserved retirement. We are all sorry to see Andrew go but are delighted to welcome Ian as the new Director of NMSI and excited about the leadership he will bring. The next few years will present challenges for the whole sector, but Ian has absolutely the right mix of museum experience, drive and passion to ensure these great museums can continue to thrive and flourish.”
Ian Blatchford will lead a team which includes the Directors of each of the three constituent museums. The Museums attract a combined total of over 4 million visitors a year and care for over six million objects, making NMSI one of the largest national museums.
Culture Minister Ed Vaizey said, “I’m delighted to welcome Ian Blatchford as the new Director of the NMSI. I’m confident that his wealth of experience, knowledge and commitment to a strong future for museums will prove a real asset.”
Ian Blatchford said, “I am delighted by the opportunity to lead NMSI through exciting, albeit challenging, times ahead. Many innovative projects are in development at all three Museums and their engaging stories about science and technology are so inspiring and relevant for our times.”
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