Image: Lord Hall of Birkenhead (CC BY 3.0 UK Parliament)
The former Director-General of the BBC begins the role immediately
The Natural History Museum has announced a successor to former Chairman Sir Patrick Valance, who was recently appointed into the new Prime Minister’s cabinet.
Sir Patrick stepped down as Chair following his appointment as Minister of State (Minister for Science) by the Prime Minister earlier this month.
In his place will serve Lord Anthony Hall of Birkenhead CBE, acting as non-executive Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the museum.
Lord Hall has previously served as Director-General of the BBC, and chaired the board of trustees of the National Gallery from September 2020 to May 2021. He was awarded a CBE in 2006 and was made a life peer in 2010.
He was originally appointed to the museum’s Board of Trustees on 29 November 2023 and will take over as Chair immediately.
Lord Hall said: “For me, the Natural History Museum is one of the great Museums of the world. I love the fact that it’s always full of young children excited and inspired by what they see. But at the same time, it is the home of great and globally important scientific research. I’m excited and honoured to be asked to serve as Chair.”
Sir Patrick Vallance KCB has been appointed Minister of State (Minister for Science) in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology @SciTechgovuk. pic.twitter.com/eRnsu5eAQO
— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) July 5, 2024
Dr Douglas Gurr, Director of the Natural History Museum added: “We are delighted that Lord Hall has agreed to become our next Chair. His unparalleled experience at the helm of high-profile organisations defined by their public purpose makes him the ideal person to lead our Board of Trustees.
“I would like to thank Sir Patrick for his support and guidance since joining our Board of Trustees in October 2022 and we congratulate him on this prestigious and well-deserved appointment. We are so proud to be associated with a leader of his stature and scientific credentials and look forward to continuing our relationship with him in the future.”
The appointment has been made by the Board of Trustees of the Natural History Museum and endorsed by the Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.
