The appointment of Molly Jackson as director of the National Museum of Science and Industry (NMSI) was due to be announced as Museums Journal went to press.
Jackson, who was head of the NMSI's trading company, replaces Martin Earwicker, who left the museum in April after three years in the job.
Jackson's appointment came as the Science Museum unveiled its £100m Future Plan. The scheme involves the creation of galleries dedicated to maths and communication.
Skyspace, a new gallery area on the roof of the existing building, will house the cosmology and astronomy collections that are currently not on display. The project, designed by Wilkinson Eyre Architects, also aims to open up the entrance of the museum, creating a new facade.
The new entrance would be linked to the £18m Exhibition Road scheme, which plans to semi-pedestrianise the area between the Science, Natural History and Victoria and Albert museums by 2011.
Heather Mayfield, head of content at the Science Museum, said she was positive about the ability to raise the necessary funding, but realistic about the difficulties of the current financial climate. She added that the project had been designed to be implemented in phases over the next six years.
The plan was launched as part of the museum's centenary celebrations, which include the refurbishment of the Who Am I? and Antenna galleries. A new exhibition, Cosmos and Culture, will open this month.
Jackson, who was head of the NMSI's trading company, replaces Martin Earwicker, who left the museum in April after three years in the job.
Jackson's appointment came as the Science Museum unveiled its £100m Future Plan. The scheme involves the creation of galleries dedicated to maths and communication.
Skyspace, a new gallery area on the roof of the existing building, will house the cosmology and astronomy collections that are currently not on display. The project, designed by Wilkinson Eyre Architects, also aims to open up the entrance of the museum, creating a new facade.
The new entrance would be linked to the £18m Exhibition Road scheme, which plans to semi-pedestrianise the area between the Science, Natural History and Victoria and Albert museums by 2011.
Heather Mayfield, head of content at the Science Museum, said she was positive about the ability to raise the necessary funding, but realistic about the difficulties of the current financial climate. She added that the project had been designed to be implemented in phases over the next six years.
The plan was launched as part of the museum's centenary celebrations, which include the refurbishment of the Who Am I? and Antenna galleries. A new exhibition, Cosmos and Culture, will open this month.
