Image: Julie Caplin-Grey (RIC Chair), and new Trustees; Steven Webb, Justin Heugh, Kira Orchard.
The museum’s five new trustees are to oversee the £2.3m development of galleries and infrastructure works.
The Royal Cornwall Museum has announced five new trustee appointments aimed at supporting its ongoing transformation programme, which includes capital works funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
The museum said the appointments will bring expertise in finance, risk management and capital development as it prepares for planned renovations to create new galleries and improve infrastructure.
The new trustees include two financial specialists: Justin Heugh, Finance Director at Diageo Group, and Kevin Brown from the Bank of England RTGS/CHAPS Board and Risk Committee. Karen Bellamy, Director of Legal and Governance at the National Lottery Heritage Fund, has been appointed to provide legal and fundraising expertise.
Also appointed is Kira Orchard, Widening Participation Coordinator at the University of Exeter, and former Truro Mayor Steven Webb.
The museum’s development programme includes proposed works to establish the Heart of Cornwall Gallery, Nature Gallery and a new art gallery, alongside roof repairs.
Artistic Director Bryony Robins said: “Our board has been instrumental in inspiring, enabling, and guiding us as we implement major organisational change. With the new members, the combined skills of the board give us the strongest possible foundation for success.”
The appointments come as the institution plans a temporary closure in January and February 2025 for renovation works. During this period, the museum intends to conduct outreach activities across Cornwall.
The development follows the reopening of the museum’s Mineral Gallery, a project supported by £476,000 from Truro’s Town Deal Board and Cornwall Council. The broader transformation programme has received £2.3m through the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Good Growth Programme, funded by the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund.
The Royal Cornwall Museum, situated in Truro city centre, houses collections of regional art, culture and history. The institution has stated its ambition to become one of Cornwall’s leading cultural attractions.
