Museum names new boss after theft scandal

The British Museum has poached the head of the National Portrait Gallery as it looks to emerge from one of its most challenging periods.

Nicholas Cullinan replaces former V&A Museum head Sir Mark Jones, who was made interim director following the resignation of Hartwig Fischer over the thefts at the London-based institution.

Mr Cullinan’s appointment was announced yesterday after it was approved by the board of trustees and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

As well as the fallout of the theft of 1,500 artefacts from its collection, the museum is also dealing with protests over its fossil fuel sponsorship agreements and a multi-million pound renovation.

Mr Cullinan said: “One of the greatest museums in the world, it is an honour to become the next director of the British Museum. I look forward to joining its wonderful and dedicated staff and to work with its hugely impressive board in leading it into a new chapter.”

He was appointed director of the National Portrait Gallery in April 2015 and has overseen the threeyear refurbishment of the Trafalgar Square museum and its reopening. Mr Cullinan invited his close friend, US musician Courtney Love, to DJ at the opening and she returned to play tracks at the gallery’s gala in March.

The widow of Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain called him her “soulmate” and her “family for life” in 2017 on Instagram and they attended the GQ Men of the Year Awards at the Tate Modern in London together that year.

Museum chairman George Osborne said the trustees chose Mr Cullinan (inset) as he “brings proven leadership today and great potential for tomorrow”.

Earlier in the week, the British Museum launched legal proceedings against former curator Dr Peter Higgs, who was dismissed in July last year for gross misconduct following allegations about items going missing from the collection. At the High Court in London on Tuesday, Mrs Justice Heather Williams made an order saying Dr Higgs, who has been investigated by the Metropolitan Police but not charged, must list or return any stolen items within four weeks.

The court heard that Dr Higgs, who did not attend the hearing due to poor health, intends to dispute the claim.

The appointment also takes place amid controversy over several items in the British Museum’s collection. The Parthenon sculptures from Greece and the Benin bronzes are among the disputed possessions.