Moves | Clare Barlow to lead People’s History Museum; Lucy Worsley leaving Historic Royal Palaces

Clare Barlow named director of People’s History Museum

Clare Barlow has been announced as the new director of the People’s History Museum (PHM) in Manchester. 

Barlow joins the institution from the Foundling Museum in London, where she was director of programmes and audiences. She previously worked at leading cultural institutions and museums including Science Museum, Wellcome Trust, Tate and the National Portrait Gallery.

She replaces Katy Ashton, who stepped down in July after 14 years in the role.

In 2017 Barlow curated the exhibition Queer British Art, 1861-1967 at Tate Britain and in 2019 she opened Being Human, a new permanent gallery at Wellcome Collection.

Bernard Donoghue, chair of the People’s History Museum, said: “We are excited that Clare is joining us in our quest to champion and explore the compelling stories of those seeking a fairer world for all and in the creation of the empowering experiences that PHM is renowned for.”

Barlow said: “It's an exciting time to be at the home of ideas worth fighting for and I’m delighted to be joining their amazing team and exploring with our audiences how we all can shape a fairer future together.”

Lucy Worsley to step down from Historic Royal Palaces

Lucy Worsley is stepping down as the chief curator at Historic Royal Palaces (HRP) after 21 years. The historian, author and television presenter has announced that she is to leave the charity at the end of 2024 to spend more time on her Lady Killers podcast, which explores the crimes of women in history from a feminist perspective.

Posting on X, she wrote: “I'm both sad and excited to say that at the end of 2024, I'll be leaving my job as chief curator at [Historic Royal Palaces]! I've had the best colleagues in history for 21 years but I want to spend more time with my friends at [LadyKillers] and our growing LadyKillers community.”

Historic Royal Palaces said: “Thank you Lucy for being a wonderful colleague to us all and for the extraordinary contribution you’ve made to our charity.”

Judith McNicol leaves National Railway Museum for role at British Museum

The director of York’s National Railway Museum, Judith McNicol, is leaving to take up a new role as managing director of the British Museum.

McNicol said: “I am thrilled to be joining the British Museum at this pivotal moment, with such an exciting future. The transformational changes ahead will re-invigorate the museum for its audiences and research for years to come. I look forward to working with such a passionate and experienced team.”

McNicol will take up her new role at the start of 2025.

Meanwhile, Laura Cooke, currently the acting director of resources at the British Museum will take up the position of finance director. 

Nicholas Cullinan, director of the British Museum, said: “I am delighted to have Judith and Laura joining the team. They both have impressive career histories, and bring with them a wealth of experience from across the cultural sector which will be hugely valuable.

“It is also a really exciting time to be joining the British Museum, as we build momentum on the delivery of the Masterplan, a project which will renovate and rejuvenate the museum for our visitors. I am looking forward to welcoming and working with them both.”

As part of its wider Masterplan programme, the British Museum recently announced a shortlist of five consultant teams to lead the design of a new visitor welcome pavilion. The winning design will be chosen towards the end of 2024.

Shakespeare Birthplace Trust appoints interim CEO

Following the recent announcement of Tim Cooke’s resignation as CEO of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, the board of trustees has appointed Rachael North as interim CEO.

A spokesperson said that North, formerly the trust’s director of museum and public programmes, will work with senior leadership and the board “to ensure a smooth operational handover and effective transition before Tim leaves the organisation in November”.

An open recruitment process to search for a permanent CEO will begin soon.

New director for Poole Museum

Poole Museum has appointed Jaine Fitzpatrick as interim director to guide it through the final stages of a £10.3m redevelopment project.

The museum, which is owned and operated by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council, has been undergoing a major transformation since its closure in 2022, supported with funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The redevelopment includes the conservation, restoration and remodelling of all three of the museum’s listed buildings.

Fitzpatrick’s new role will provide “the vision and strategic leadership required to see the project through to completion”, a statement from the council said. She will also lead the museum’s reopening, scheduled for summer 2025, and oversee its “transition into a sustainable future”.

Fitzpatrick has previous experience in higher education, charities and local government services, with a background in strategic planning, change management and long-term business transformation.

The council said: “[Fitzpatrick’s] leadership will be pivotal in implementing a 10-year forward plan for the museum, ensuring a strong focus on all aspects of culture, commerce and community, whilst aligning with the council’s core values and commitment to customer satisfaction.”

She said: “I’m delighted to be taking on this challenging role at the museum. It’s an exciting time for the museum, staff and volunteers, and I look forward to delivering on everyone’s expectations as we work towards reopening next year.”

Northern Ireland Museums Council director steps down

Johnathan Dalzell has stepped down as the director of the Northern Ireland Museums Council after two years in the role. The arm’s length body has a membership of more than 40 museums and libraries across Northern Ireland, and supports the sector through management of the Museum Accreditation Scheme, grant assistance, training programmes, member events and research, as well as guidance and advocacy.

Recruitment is currently underway for a new director on a three-year fixed-term contract.