Sam Owen appointed interim director as Keen departs after seven-year tenure
Wellcome has announced that Melanie Keen, who has been director of Wellcome Collection since 2019, will step down this spring.
Under her direction, Wellcome Collection received the inaugural Visitor Accessibility Award at the Museums + Heritage Awards in 2025, praised by its judges as “leading lights in disability discourse in museums and pushing the boundaries of what excellent, accessible exhibitions look like”.
The organisation was also named the Mayor of London’s Champion Employer for Skills and Progression.
“The reason I joined Wellcome was its commitment to equity and inclusion, and I leave an organisation that has a growing and more inclusive audience, and a cadre of diverse artists represented across many aspects of the programme,” Keen said.
John-Arne Røttingen, Chief Executive Officer at Wellcome, said: “Melanie’s leadership and vision have contributed to the development of Wellcome Collection as a space where scientific research, visual arts and collections, and lived experience are explored in inclusive and meaningful ways. She leaves a strong foundation for the future, and I want to thank her for her impact and collaboration.”
Sam Owen, Associate Director Strategy and Governance, will act as Interim Director while Wellcome Collection considers its next phase of leadership.
