Toryglen man to chair galleries board
Benny for arts role
A Toryglen man has been appointed as the chair of the board of Scotland’s top art galleries.
Benny Higgins, a former St Brigid’s pupil, is the new chair of the National Galleries of Scotland (NGS) board.
He is currently the chief executive of Tesco Bank and group strategy director for Tesco PLC.
The appointment will run for four years from July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2021 and will see him in charge of the Scottish National Gallery, the National Gallery of Modern Art and the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.
The role is unpaid and on a part time basis.
Speaking in a recent newspaper interview, he recalled being captivated by art when still a St Brigid’s pupil, as well as praising his grandfather’s influence in helping him love art.
Cabinet secretary for culture, tourism and external affairs Fiona Hyslop said: “I am pleased to welcome Benny Higgins as the new chair of the board of Trustees of the National Galleries of Scotland. Having served as a member of the NGS Board for three years now, he has been a real asset to the organisation, bringing in a wealth of experience and business acumen.
“Building on the legacy of the current chair Ben Thomson, under whose leadership NGS has flourished as an organisation of international reputation, I am confident that he will pursue the board’s good work and ensure that the NGS will continue to inspire a wider national and international audience through its innovative programme of exhibitions and activities.”
Mr Higgins began his career at Standard Life in 1983.
In 1997, he moved to the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) before joining Tesco Bank as chief executive in 2008.