Alistair Hardaker | Image: Sir Neil Cossons speaking at the Japan And Britain - Isles Of Innovation event at the Science Museum in 2020. (Science Museum Group)
Cossons also served as National Maritime Museum director and English Heritage chairman, overseeing SS Great Britain’s return to Bristol.
Sector professionals are paying tribute to Sir Neil Cossons, a museum and heritage sector stalwart who served in many senior roles including as former Science Museum director.
Sir Cossons, who died aged 87, became the first Director of the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust in 1971.
During twelve years in the post he oversaw the preservation of industrial sites throughout the gorge and the transformation of the site. By 1982 he was appointed OBE in recognition of his work at Ironbridge.
Cossons then served as director of the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich before, in 1986, being appointed Director of the Science Museum, a position he held until 2000. In 1989 he was made governor of the Royal College of Art and by 1994 was knighted.
From 2000–2007 Cossons served as chairman of English Heritage, during which time he oversaw the return of the SS Great Britain to Bristol and the establishment of the Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust.
He also held an advisory role on industrial heritage conservation for the government of Japan, receiving the Order of the Rising Sun in recognition of his work.
In 2019, nearly two decades after leaving the Science Museum, he was awarded a Fellowship from the Science Museum Group for his record of promoting Britain’s scientific, engineering and industrial heritage.
Sir Ian Blatchford, director and chief executive of the Science Museum said: “Neil had a profound impact on the Science Museum, ushering in an era of change and bringing a strong focus on effective interpretation for visitors, with interactivity at its heart. His legacy can be seen around the museum to this day, and I will be forever grateful for the steadfast friendship and wise counsel which Neil offered throughout my time at the museum.”
AIM Director Lisa Ollerhead added: “We were saddened to hear this news and extend our deepest sympathies to Sir Neil’s family, friends and colleagues. Sir Neil was a true champion of our sector and of independents in particular.
“AIM and our members are hugely grateful for his many years of generous advice, support and guidance; his legacy is extraordinary. As AIM nears its 50th anniversary next year we will ensure that legacy continues and his considerable role is marked accordingly.”
