The British Museum has today announced the appointments of a new Managing Director and Director of Finance to join its Executive team.
Judith McNicol is currently Director of the National Railway Museum in York (part of the Science Museum Group) and will take up the role of Managing Director.
Judith said: “I am thrilled to be joining the British Museum at this pivotal moment, with such an exciting future. The transformational changes ahead will reinvigorate the Museum for its audiences and research for years to come. I look forward to working with such a passionate and experienced team.”
Laura Cooke, currently Acting Director of Resources at the British Museum will take up the position of Finance Director.
Laura said: “It’s fantastic to have been offered this role and to have the chance to work alongside the brilliant and talented teams in the Museum. Creating a sustainable financial legacy, one which enables the Museum to share its work with the widest possible audience and focuses on future generations, is hugely motivating and work I am looking forward to doing.”
Dr Nicholas Cullinan, Director of the British Museum, welcomed the appointments saying: “I am delighted to have Judith and Laura joining the team. They both have impressive career histories, and bring with them a wealth of experience from across the cultural sector which will be hugely valuable.
“It is also a really exciting time to be joining the British Museum, as we build momentum on the delivery of the Masterplan, a project which will renovate and rejuvenate the Museum for our visitors. I am looking forward to welcoming and working with them both.
“Judith has a stellar record of operational command and of leading organisations through capital projects having achieved great results at the National Railway Museum in York. Laura has been exceptional since joining the Museum on an interim basis in July, and has already made a huge contribution, so I am delighted she will now be joining us permanently.”