Dr Nicholas Cullinan OBE has been appointed as the new Director of the British Museum, following the unanimous approval of the Board of Trustees and the agreement of the Prime Minister.

Nicholas is one of the UK’s most admired and experienced museum directors, having successfully run the National Portrait Gallery since April 2015. During his time at the National Portrait Gallery Nicholas led the most significant transformation in the Gallery’s history, with a complete re-presentation of the Collection and major redevelopment of the building increasing public space by a fifth. Before that he worked at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and Tate Modern in London as a curator, bringing an international perspective to his approach.

Nicholas takes over from Interim Director Sir Mark Jones and will take up his role in the summer.

photo: Zoë Law