Alistair Hardaker
Image: Professor Martin Levermore, BCLM Chair
Professor Martin Levermore will chair Black Country Living Museum’s 15-member Board of Trustees from October 2025 following extensive search
The Black Country Living Museum in Dudley, has appointed Professor Martin Levermore as its new chair.
Professor Levermore will take up the role in October, chairing a board of 15 trustees. He will become the seventh long-term chair since the charitable trust was established 50 years ago in 1975.
Duncan Bedhall, acting chair since April 2025, said the new appointment “greatly impressed the selection panel with his strategic clarity, vision, business experience and acumen, understanding of the Black Country and the role and contribution of the Museum to a better society. All that, much more and Martin’s humility made him the standout choice.
Professor Levermore said of his new appointment: “As a West Midlander and living in Bloxwich – deep in the Black Country – I have admired the Museum for a long time. I am so looking forward to working with my fellow Trustees on the Board and Andrew’s team to ensure the Museum continues to thrive.
“The Museum is an essential part of the connected tissue of our region, and I want to ensure it makes an even greater contribution to the innovation and national understanding of the Black Country, its future economic growth and prosperity, wellbeing and positive social mobility.”
Andrew Lovett OBE, Chief Executive, said: “I know Martin shares my belief that the Museum is a force for good in the service of the Black Country community and has so much more to give. I’m especially enthusiastic to draw-on Martin’s strategic thinking, regional reputation and deep humanitarian skills.
