‘Future of museum secure in hands of top team’

Philip Long believes the future of V&A Dundee is in the safe hands of the “remarkable, passionate” team which has forged the attraction’s international fame.

He said: “Leading the team which opened V&A Dundee has been a real privilege.

“Scotland’s design museum has a remarkable, passionate team driving it forward and I wish them all the very best for V&A Dundee’s continued success and for the vital role it is playing in that city and nationally.”

Of his new NTS role, he said: “The trust is invaluable to our nation.

“The buildings and landscape in its care, which it makes accessible to millions of visitors every year, are truly world class, defining our country’s heritage, culture and identity at its most outstanding.

“I am looking forward immensely to joining the trust’s team and am fortunate to be succeeding Simon Skinner, whom I would like to thank for his outstanding work.”

Mr Long arrived at Dundee’s waterfront site which would become home to the worldfamous design museum from the post of senior curator at the National Galleries of Scotland.

During his time there he developed a specialisation in historic and contemporary Scottish and wider British art and design.

His international work has included the curation of Scotland’s presentation at the Venice Biennale in 2007, responsibility for the UK presentation at the Milan Design Triennale and advising museums and government agencies on the development of new cultural and heritage organisations.

He is an Honorary Professor of Dundee University, an Honorary Research Fellow of St Andrews University, a member of the British Council’s Arts and Creative Economy Committee, and a board member of Creative Scotland.

A Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Mr Long was also the recipient of a unique award for Transforming Scotland from the Institute of Directors in 2019.