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Lord Hall has been appointed chairman of the Natural History Museum, his first major appointment since quitting a previous post over his involvement in a BBC scandal
Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 17 Jul 2024
Lord Hall becomes chairman of the Natural History Museum after joining the Board of Trustees last year Credit: House of Lords
Former BBC director general Tony Hall has been named as the new chairman of the Natural History Museum in London.
Lord Hall was originally appointed to the Natural History Museum Board of Trustees in November and will take over the position of chairman immediately, following former chair Sir Patrick Vallance’s appointment as the UK’s new Minister for Science.
Hall stepped down from the BBC in 2020 after seven years in the role. A year later he would resign as National Gallery chair in the wake of an inquiry into a BBC interview with Princess Diana that took place in the 1990s.
Despite the controversy, Hall has significant experience heading up cultural organisations, having also served as chief executive of the Royal Opera House, president of the European Broadcast Union and chair of the Cultural Olympiad Board.
“For me, the Natural History Museum is one of the great museums of the world,” said Hall.
“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.”
The appointment has been made by the Board of Trustees of the Natural History Museum and endorsed by the new Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, as well as the new secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Lisa Nandy.
“We are delighted that Lord Hall has agreed to become our next chair,” said Douglas Gurr, director of the Natural History Museum.
“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.”
Gurr added: “I would like to thank Sir Patrick Vallance 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.”
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