British Museum appoints new director after thefts scandal

The British Museum has appointed the National Portrait Gallery’s boss as its new director following a scandal over stolen artefacts. Dr Nicholas Cullinan, who currently heads the National Portrait Gallery, has been chosen to lead the museum. His appointment follows the departure of former director Dr Hartwig Fischer, who resigned following revelation the British Museum leadership ignored warnings that an insider was selling off artefacts from its collection. The curator and art history expert’s appointment was approved by Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister. Dr Cullinan, 46, recently oversaw a major update of the National Portrait Gallery, and his experience in managing renovation work made him the ideal candidate in the British Museum’s eyes to oversee its 10-year “masterplan” to upgrade its own spaces. George Osborne, chairman of the British Museum, said: “He has shown his capacity as director of the National Portrait Gallery to oversee both a major physical renovation and a compelling renewal of purpose in a way that doesn’t take sides, but brings people together – and won universal acclaim. “We believe he can achieve this, and more, on the bigger scale of the British Museum as we undertake a once-in-a-generation redevelopment.” Dr Cullinan will take up the post in the summer, relieving interim director Sir...

Read more