Alistair Hardaker | Image: Gemma Meek, newly appointed CEO, and Sue Shave, Interim Chief Executive at Manchester Jewish Museum
Newly appointed chief executive to take maternity leave from January with interim from Jewish Museum London covering absence.
Manchester Jewish Museum has appointed Gemma Meek as its new chief executive.
Meek has served as programmes manager at the museum since 2021, and Interim CEO since May 2025.
Meek replaces Gareth Redston who left the Cheetham Hill based museum in May this year after 10 years, with the last three as the organisation’s Chief Executive.
The museum said Meek is “well placed to continue this work through her established links in the local community and extensive experience with delivering impactful programming strategies.
Alongside her new position, she will continue in her role as Chair of Cheetham Cultural Festival.
Chair of the board of trustees, Richard Chapman KC, said Meek “has already made her mark on the museum in her previous roles, and we look forward to her taking us to even greater heights in the future.”
The newly appointed CEO said: “I feel privileged to be able to continue to lead us in our next chapter in collaboration with our amazing community, faith and cultural partners.
Meek will be on maternity leave from January 2026, and newly appointed Interim CEO, Sue Shave will operate in her absence.
Shave brings experience from The Jewish Museum London, Discover Bucks Museum, Chiltern Open Air Museum, Bucks and Coldharbour Mill, Devon.
Shave said “It is an immense privilege and honour to be appointed as the Interim CEO at Manchester Jewish Museum.
“I love the inclusive mission of the Museum bringing people together to experience and explore how we are different through Jewish collections and culture, and I admire the community led approach to making this museum and collections relevant to communities today.”
