Paisley culture boss Leonie moves to the City of Discovery
The woman behind Paisley’s revival as a top destination for culture and the arts has been appointed the new director at the V&A Dundee.
Leonie Bell, who heads up the Future Paisley Partnership at Renfrewshire Council, will take on the role at the world-class museum in the autumn.
One of Scotland’s most experienced cultural leaders, Leonie currently leads Paisley’s ambitious cultural regeneration plans following on from its UK City of Culture Bid.
The wide-ranging £110million programme, which includes the plans to redevelop Paisley Museum and other key buildings, aims to use the town’s design heritage to transform its future.
The V& A say Leonie, who was born in Dundee – the City of Discovery – and grew up in nearby Fife, will bring authenticity, knowledge and energy to the museum which opened in 2018.
Leonie said she is “delighted and honoured” to take on the role.
“I am looking forward to working with the board, the team, the museum’s partners and the people of Dundee to further establish V&A Dundee as a world-class design museum for Scotland,” she said.
“The museum is an emblem of the city’s design and industrial heritage and a bright beacon for its future. Like so many, I have watched V&A Dundee flourish in its first two years, and it is a huge privilege to lead the museum into its next phase.”
Leonie’s experience includes leadership and senior management in local and national government, national agencies and in the culture sector.
She also chairs the advisory board of Glasgow International Festival of Visual Art and is a trustee of the Edinburgh International Festival.
Leonie replaces the V& A’s founding director Philip Long OBE.