Maria Balshaw and five others appointed to governing body of Fitzwilliam Museum.
The University of Cambridge has appointed six new members to the Fitzwilliam Museum Syndicate, the museum’s governing body.
Maria Balshaw, who served as director of Tate from 2017 to 2026, is among the new appointees. She previously held directorships at the Whitworth Gallery at the University of Manchester, Manchester City Galleries and was director of culture for Manchester City Council. She was awarded a CBE for services to the arts in 2015.
The five other new Syndics are Naveed Chaudhry, a senior leader in climate finance at Oxford Policy Management and chair of HOST, a non-profit supporting grassroots climate and social justice movements; Alvin Jiang, co-founder and managing partner of Boyu and chairman of Starbucks China; Natalie Parish, a founding partner at Isos Partnership, a research and advisory organisation focused on improving public services in education and children’s services.
Also appointed is Payal Wadhwa, a design strategist and civic innovation practitioner who has worked with clients including the National Museum of India, Tate and the Government Digital Service; and Alma Zevi, an art historian, writer and curator who has curated museum exhibitions across Europe and is co-chair of the National Gallery Young Ambassadors.
Luke Syson, director and Marlay Curator of the Fitzwilliam Museum, said of the new appointees: “At a moment of exciting momentum for the Fitz, their insight and leadership will help us continue to deepen our public engagement, strengthen our global connections, and champion the role museums can play in society today.”
All appointments commence in summer 2026, with the exception of Natalie Parish, whose appointment begins in January 2028. Syndicate members are not remunerated.
