Industry News
New board members appointed to drive forward Beamish Museum’s next chapter
Beamish, The Living Museum of the North has announced the latest appointments to its Board of Trustees, who will play a key role in guiding the award-winning museum into its next chapter of success, innovation and relevance.
Ryan Baldry, Dr Nikita Chiu, Louise Melville, Peter Morland, and Fletcher Sowerby have joined the museum’s Board, bringing a wealth of expertise across public affairs, technology, governance, finance, auditing, and IT architecture.
The Beamish Board has also appointed a new Chair to its wholly-owned trading arm, Beamish Museum Trading Limited. Jamiejohn Anderson will be joined by Directors Yaseen Ali, Jonathan Hamill, John Rainey, and Kirsty Russell, further strengthening the museum’s governance structure.
Driving Beamish’s Vision Forward
As the North East’s most visited attraction, and one of the UK’s top paid-for museums, Beamish plays a crucial role in the region’s cultural and economic landscape. New governance colleagues join a diverse and passionate Board of Trustees and, alongside the Chair, CEO and Beamish team, will help to shape the museum’s long-term strategic vision.
Chris Loughran, Chair of Beamish, said: “As anyone who grew up here knows, Beamish sits at the heart of our North East heritage and is committed to being at the heart of its future.
“Everyone joining us brings exceptional experience and knowledge, from governance, finance, technology and cultural leadership. We look forward to working with all of our new Board colleagues to continue our core mission, but also continue to contribute to the region’s economy, wellbeing and future.
“We are proud to be an independent museum, but value deeply our partnerships, especially with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The fund has enabled us to develop ground-breaking projects, including Remaking Beamish. We are excited to be at the next stage of our development and future of Beamish.”
New Expertise and Insights
The newly appointed Trustees bring impressive credentials and experience to the Board:
- Ryan Baldry – A public affairs specialist with a decade of experience in Westminster and a foreign policy think-tank.
- Dr Nikita Chiu – Associate Professor in Space Innovation and Technology Governance at Durham University Business School, offering expertise in technological advancements and strategic development.
- Louise Melville – A highly-experienced accountant with over 20 years in financial management and corporate governance.
- Peter Morland – A Director at the National Audit Office, bringing extensive experience in auditing government departments and national charities.
- Fletcher Sowerby – A seasoned IT Architect with more than 40 years in the industry, formerly with IBM Consulting.
Meanwhile, the new Directors of Beamish Museum Trading Limited bring strong leadership and commercial acumen:
- Jamiejohn Anderson (Chair) – A cultural heritage and hospitality leader with over 20 years of experience, currently Executive Director of Operations at National Museums Liverpool.
- Yaseen Ali – A governance and business performance expert, serving on the Co-op Group National Members’ Council.
- Jonathan Hamill – A board-level executive and Managing Director in industrial fire prevention and measurement technology.
- John Rainey – A digital product and business development specialist with extensive experience in scaling companies.
- Kirsty Russell – A Finance Director with over 20 years of financial leadership experience.
Beamish, a centre of open air museum excellence, is entering an exciting phase of growth. The museum has ambitious plans to broaden its stories and eras, enhance visitor experiences, expand educational initiatives, and deepen its community engagement. The museum remains committed to preserving the region’s rich heritage while also driving forward innovation in areas such as social responsibility, sustainability, skills development and accessibility.
Rhiannon Hiles, Beamish’s Chief Executive, said: “This is a hugely exciting time for Beamish, and we warmly welcome our new Board members, whose knowledge and expertise will be instrumental in helping to shape our future. As a museum, we are not only preserving the past but actively contributing to today’s communities through education, inclusion, and economic development. With their guidance, we look forward to further strengthening our position as a leading cultural institution.”