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Osborne will join the museum’s board of trustees on September 1, taking up the position of chairman in October
Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 01 Jul 2021
Osborne served as chancellor from 2010 to 2016 and as first secretary of state from 2015 to 2016 in the Cameron government Credit: Flickr.com/Conservative Party
George Osborne - the former chancellor of the exchequer for the British government - has been named as the next chairman of the British Museum in London.
Osborne, who earlier this year stepped down as editor of London’s Evening Standard newspaper, will join the museum’s board of trustees starting September 1. From October 4, he will formally succeed Sir Richard Lambert as chairman.
“All my life I have loved the British Museum,” said Osborne. “To my mind, it’s quite simply the greatest museum in the world. It’s a place that brings cultures together and tells the story of our common humanity. Richard Lambert will be a very hard act to follow, but I look forward to working with director Hartwig Fischer and the impressive team he leads at the museum. I hope to bring my experience, energy and passion to this incredibly exciting role.”
Osborne - a former Conservative MP, was also named partner at investment bank Robey Warshaw in April and is also chairman of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, which was launched in 2016 as a leading voice of business and civic leaders across the North of England.
According to a museum release, the appointment was approved unanimously.
“George Osborne knows the museum well and values the trust the Museum enjoys around the world,” said Hartwig Fischer. “He understands the active role the British Museum is playing in the recovery of the country, creating opportunities for everyone to discover the collection as their own - onsite, through loans to their local museums and online.
“Under the current leadership of Sir Richard Lambert, we have laid the groundwork for the masterplan, to embark on the biggest transformative project in our history, and to renew our displays. Together with my colleagues I look forward to working with George to continue to ensure that the British Museum is the most innovative, accessible and inspiring museum of the world, for the world.”
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