Image: External render view of the new V&A East Museum at Stratford Waterfront, designed by O'Donnell + Tuomey. © O'Donnell + Tuomey Ninety90, 2018
The new appointment will take over from Interim Chair Nigel Webb, after an interview process next month.
The Prime Minister has reopened applications for the next permanent Chair of the V&A. Details of the role were published yesterday, 9 October 2024.
The notice states that the Prime Minister “wishes to appoint a new Chair to the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A),” in “an exciting opportunity to use your skills to benefit a family of museums dedicated to the power of creativity. “
The search for the V&A’s Chair began last April, ahead of Nicholas Coleridge stepping down last November. The role is currently held by Interim Chair Nigel Webb.
Under the last government, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) had ordered a restart to the process of recruiting a successor.
Sky News reported the appointment process had been disrupted when Samir Shah, the then frontrunner for the position, instead took the opportunity to chair the BBC.
The application pack for the next Chair sets out the successful candidate is someone “of significant standing, with a noteworthy background in a creative, commercial or academic field”, who will “act as an ambassador for the museum to government, key industry contacts, supporters and donors”.
The role will last for four years, and on average, the new Chair will be expected to spend up to 4 – 8 days per month on V&A business.
Applications for the role close on 23 October, with interviews expected to take place in November. A deadline for the eventual appointment has not been specified. DCMS said unsuccessful candidates may be presented with an appointment to a Trustee role.
