Alistair Hardaker | Image: Hedley Swain at Brighton Museum (Brighton & Hove Museums)
Hedley Swain will leave the role after six years, with deputy Abigail Thomas becoming interim CEO.
Brighton & Hove Museums is to recruit a new chief executive as Hedley Swain announces he will step down at the end of October 2026, following six years in the role.
Abigail Thomas, currently deputy chief executive, will become interim chief executive at the end of October while the board of trustees recruits a permanent successor. The trust said operations and programming across its sites remain as normal.
Swain joined Brighton & Hove Museums in October 2020. He had previously spent more than seven years as area director south east at Arts Council England, and held senior roles at the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council and the Museum of London.
The trust operates five venues: the Royal Pavilion, Brighton Museum & Art Gallery, Preston Manor & Gardens, the Booth Museum of Natural History, and Hove Museum of Creativity.
Brighton & Hove Museum said Swain and his wife are relocating to Sweden, where she has secured a senior position at a museum in Stockholm.
Swain said he has “loved being in Brighton” and was “immensely proud of all we have achieved together”.
“I wish the Trust every success on its ongoing journey and look forward to watching its progress. Thanks to everyone who has supported me, with a special thanks to a great leadership team and my amazing executive board colleagues.”
Michael Bedingfield, chair of trustees at Brighton & Hove Museums, said: “Hedley has steered the Trust through significant challenges and opportunities with steady vision, deep sector expertise, and genuine passion for our cultural heritage.
“He leaves the organisation in a strong position for the future, and we wish him and his wife every success as they begin this exciting new chapter in Sweden.”
