The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
V&A founding director bound for pastures new
Philip Long set to be new chief executive of the National Trust for Scotland
The man who led the team that created the V&A Dundee success story is to depart the globally renowned tourist attraction.
Conservation charity the National Trust for Scotland has announced the appointment of Philip Long as its chief executive, succeeding Simon Skinner when he retires this summer.
Mr Long was V&A Dundee’s founding director, appointed in 2011 to lead the development of all aspects of the project, from its early planning to the successful opening of the spectacular £80 million Kengo Kuma-designed waterfront jewel in September 2018.
He spearheaded the museum staff and the founding partnership of the V&A, Dundee City Council, Dundee University, Abertay University and Scottish Enterprise in delivering the first design museum in Scotland and the first V&A in the world outside London.
Five hundred days after opening its doors to the public, V&A Dundee welcomed its 1,000,000th visitor.
It is currently closed under the Covid-19 lockdown, having this week been due to unveil its latest major exhibition celebrating the design genius of fashion icon Mary Quant.
Mr Long, who was awarded an OBE in the 2020 New Year honours for services to heritage and culture, said that it had been a “real privilege” to head the V&A team.
The museum has received international critical recognition – including by Time Magazine as one of the world’s 100 greatest places of 2019 – and delivered an economic impact for Scotland of £75m in the first 12 months after opening.
Mr Long said: “It is a great honour to be appointed as the new chief executive of the National Trust for Scotland, an organisation which I greatly admire, and whose properties I’ve enjoyed for many years.
“The trust is invaluable to our nation.” His NTS role will include overseeing a range of Tayside and Fife attractions, including House of Dun, near Montrose, Sir J M Barrie’s Kirriemuir birthplace and Branklyn Gardens in Perthshire. The body’s Fife portfolio includes Falkland Palace and Balmerino Abbey.
NTS chairman Sir Mark Jones said: “I can speak for the board of trustees in saying we are delighted that Philip Long has agreed to become the charity’s chief executive.
“His background in Scottish art and design is impeccable and his proven leadership skills, with which he led the V&A Dundee project to an acclaimed conclusion, will be a considerable asset to us as we face the challenges of the future.
“I also want to offer my profound thanks to Simon Skinner.
“He has selflessly agreed to stay on longer as chief executive to ensure continuity of leadership pending Philip’s arrival in July.
“Simon’s contribution to the reform and modernisation of the trust over the last five years has been immense and his leadership skills have shone through yet again during the current public health emergency.”