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Head of Glasgow Life Museums and Collections announces retirement

Image: Dornan (left) is pictured receiving the 2023 Art Fund Museum of the Year prize for Glasgow’s Burrell Collection from artist Sir Grayson Perry at a ceremony at the British Museum in London

The outgoing leader said their nine years in the role had ‘been an enormous privilege’

Duncan Dornan is retiring as Head of Glasgow Life Museums and Collections after nine years in the role.

Dornan initially joined as Senior Museums Manager before becoming Head of Glasgow Life Museums in 2015. He will step down on Friday 23 August 2024.

The organisation operates the group of museums and galleries owned by the City of Glasgow, including the Burrell Collection and People’s Palace

Leading the organisation, Dornan has been responsible for the planning and delivery of the refurbishment of the Burrell Collection, the ongoing refurbishment of the People’s Palace and Winter Gardens, and the refurbishment of Provand’s Lordship, Glasgow’s oldest building.

Dornan said: “The people of Glasgow have a real sense of pride in their ownership of the city’s museums. It has been an enormous privilege to lead Glasgow Life Museums and I would like to thank my incredible team whose passion and care for the city’s collections has driven record numbers of local and international visitors. One in every three visits to a local authority museum in Scotland today is to a museum in Glasgow.

“Glasgow Life Museums bring audiences to Scotland because of their exceptional quality, breadth, and diversity. Our offer is both unique and world leading, and our role as an innovator in museums practice is recognised globally, which is something I am very proud of.”

Bailie Annette Christie, Chair of Glasgow Life added: “Anyone who has ever visited one of Glasgow’s great museums has reason to be grateful for Duncan’s exceptional contributions.

“Duncan has taken Glasgow Life Museums to even greater heights, and this is reflected in the awards and interest we receive from around the world. On behalf of everyone at Glasgow Life, I wish him the very best for the future and a long and fulfilling retirement.”

The search for a new Head of Glasgow Life Museums and Collections is already underway.