Tristram Hunt, Labour MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central, has been appointed as the new director of London’s Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A).
The former historian will replace Martin Roth, who announced his resignation in September – a decision that was prompted by his concerns over Brexit.
A statement from the V&A said Hunt would start the new role in the “coming months”. Prime minster Theresa May and culture secretary Karen Bradley have also confirmed the appointment.
“I am delighted and honoured to have been appointed director of the V&A," said Hunt.
"I have loved the V&A since I was a boy, and today it is a global leader in its unrivalled collections, special exhibitions, academic research and visitor experience.
"It is a moment of transformation and renewal for the V&A, with the upcoming opening of the new Exhibition Road entrance, and new sites and galleries in Dundee, China and Stratford. I am particularly pleased that, through the V&A ownership of the Wedgwood Collection, my passion for education in Stoke-on-Trent can continue."
Sharon Heal, the director of the Museums Association (MA), said Hunt’s experience of working with local museums in Stoke-on-Trent means he can bring his knowledge of the strengths of local collections and also the challenges they face to his role at the V&A.
“I hope he will build on that to further develop the relationships that the V&A has with regional museums and their audiences around the UK," she said.
"This is a challenging time for many museums and national museums have a key role to play in supporting the invaluable work that they do."
Nicholas Coleridge, the V&A’s chairman, said: “He [Hunt] has a highly compelling mixture of experience across public life, the arts, history, education and academia, and knows our collections well from his writing and broadcasting.
“In addition, he is an informed and articulate leader and communicator on numerous facets of culture, both historic and contemporary, and I greatly look forward to working with him at the V&A.”
Hunt has been an MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central since 2010, and was previously shadow secretary of state and shadow minister for education. He is an expert on the 18th and 19th centuries and has written several history books, and presented programmes and documentaries for the BBC and Channel 4.
The former historian will replace Martin Roth, who announced his resignation in September – a decision that was prompted by his concerns over Brexit.
A statement from the V&A said Hunt would start the new role in the “coming months”. Prime minster Theresa May and culture secretary Karen Bradley have also confirmed the appointment.
“I am delighted and honoured to have been appointed director of the V&A," said Hunt.
"I have loved the V&A since I was a boy, and today it is a global leader in its unrivalled collections, special exhibitions, academic research and visitor experience.
"It is a moment of transformation and renewal for the V&A, with the upcoming opening of the new Exhibition Road entrance, and new sites and galleries in Dundee, China and Stratford. I am particularly pleased that, through the V&A ownership of the Wedgwood Collection, my passion for education in Stoke-on-Trent can continue."
Sharon Heal, the director of the Museums Association (MA), said Hunt’s experience of working with local museums in Stoke-on-Trent means he can bring his knowledge of the strengths of local collections and also the challenges they face to his role at the V&A.
“I hope he will build on that to further develop the relationships that the V&A has with regional museums and their audiences around the UK," she said.
"This is a challenging time for many museums and national museums have a key role to play in supporting the invaluable work that they do."
Nicholas Coleridge, the V&A’s chairman, said: “He [Hunt] has a highly compelling mixture of experience across public life, the arts, history, education and academia, and knows our collections well from his writing and broadcasting.
“In addition, he is an informed and articulate leader and communicator on numerous facets of culture, both historic and contemporary, and I greatly look forward to working with him at the V&A.”
Hunt has been an MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central since 2010, and was previously shadow secretary of state and shadow minister for education. He is an expert on the 18th and 19th centuries and has written several history books, and presented programmes and documentaries for the BBC and Channel 4.
