The Bowes Museum appoints Hannah Fox as new Director

The Bowes Museum has announced that Hannah Fox has been appointed to take up the role of Director in May 2022.

The Trustees appointed Saxton Bampfylde, who conducted an international search for the new Director. After a series of intensive interviews with impressive candidates the Trustees, supported by Arts Council England and Durham County Council, were extremely pleased to appoint Hannah.

Hannah brings a wealth of experience to the Museum combining cross-sector knowledge, together with a passion for enabling access to museums for all people. Hannah’s expertise is exemplified by her leadership of the successful 18m transformation of The Silk Mill, the world’s first factory and a UNESCO World Heritage site, into the UK’s first Museum of Making. She is active in the cultural world as a practitioner and mentor for international arts and culture social impact programmes with US-based National Arts Strategies and the Center for Social Impact Strategies, University of Pennsylvania.

Hannah has been an Advisory Board member for museums including Manchester Museum of Science and Industry, The Horniman and the Museum of Homelessness. She is a Board member of The Thackray Medical Museum, Leeds.

Hannah Fox says:

“I’m honoured to have been chosen to become the Director of The Bowes Museum and to lead the Museum through its next chapter. I’m confident that its exceptional staff, trustees and supporters are well placed to face the opportunities ahead and I relish the chance to help make The Bowes Museum dynamic and resilient. I’m committed to developing this incredible museum to be widely recognised as a cultural leader that meaningfully serves its community.”

Peter Mothersill, Chair of The Bowes Museum Trustees says:

“The Trustees are thrilled to announce Hannah’s appointment as our new Director. She has shown through her extraordinary work that she is more than capable of building on the extraordinary legacy of our founders, Josephine and John Bowes, to transform this unique Museum for the benefit of our community.”

Cllr Elizabeth Scott, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for economy and partnership, says:

“There are so many inspirational tales of women whose spirit and determination shine through in the north east. Josephine Bowes, who conceived of and built The Bowes Museum, is one such example. The Museum shelters, preserves and shares Josephine’s collection and it’s exciting that it will now be led by a woman. Therefore, it is with great pleasure that we welcome Hannah Fox to County Durham and look forward to working with her on the county’s bid to be UK City of Culture 2025. Securing this title The Bowes Museum would attract millions of visitors to County Durham and the wider region, create thousands of jobs, and allow us to offer even more opportunities for people to be creative and engage with arts and culture.”