New Chair and Vice Chair appointments – AIM Council

AIM Board Feb 2020

AIM appoints Andrew Lovett as Chair and Marilyn Scott MBE and Caroline Worthington as Vice Chairs

AIM made a number of new appointments when its Board met yesterday at The Fusilier Museum in the Tower of London.

Vice Chair, Andrew Lovett takes up the role of Chair with immediate effect. Marilyn Scott MBE and Caroline Worthington have been appointed as Vice Chairs.

Of his new appointment Andrew said

“I am honoured to have the support of the Board to take up this role and help lead AIM’s work in championing and improving the impact, sustainability and relevance of independent museums, galleries and heritage organisations right across the UK.

The expertise and guidance AIM shares and the supportive network it has provided for over 40 years is incredibly valuable to our sector and I look forward to working with the team to meet the challenges and opportunities of the future. It is a cause close to my heart. I also thank Richard Evans for all he did as AIM Chair.”

Andrew has 20 years senior-level experience working across the museums, leisure, arts, heritage and protected landscape sectors. He moved into museums after 11 years working for the Lake District National Park, joining York Museums as Head of Visitor Services in 1996. Senior roles at STEAM – Museum of Great Western Railway and BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, NewcastleGateshead followed, before Andrew started his current role as Chief Executive of Black Country Living Museum, Dudley in 2009.

He is a member of the Executive Committee of the National Museums Directors’ Council, the West Midland Mayor’s Cultural Leadership Board, and Fellow of the Association of European Open Air Museums.

Caroline Worthington was curator of art at the Royal Albert Memorial Museum in Exeter before moving to the Laing Art Gallery in Newcastle. In 2003 she joined York Art Gallery as curator of Art, leaving to become the Director of the Florence Nightingale Museum in London in 2008. Caroline is currently Director of the Royal Society of Sculptors.

Director of The Lightbox, Marilyn Scott MBE has worked in museums, galleries and heritage attractions throughout her career, including roles at the V&A, the Science Museum and The National Trust. As well as a Council member for AIM, Marilyn is a respected consultant in the sector and has worked on AIM’s Prospering Boards programme and is a mentor to a number of small volunteer-led museums seeking accreditation. She is a Trustee of Brooklands Museum, The Weald and Downland Museum, The Mary Roxburghe Trust and Chair of ASpaceArts.

Director of AIM, Emma Chaplin

“Andrew’s leadership and vision will help AIM build on the considerable progress it has made in the last few years, and with the additional support of our two Vice Chairs we feel the AIM Board is in a very strong position to continue to support our members and ensure a strong voice of advocacy for the independent heritage sector.“

Sir Neil Cossons, AIM President, adds

“I am delighted with these new appointments; it is a clear demonstration of the calibre of those who support AIM in delivering its objectives and serving its members. With the stewardship of Andrew, Marilyn and Caroline I am confident the challenges of the future will be met with equal parts acumen, creativity and entrepreneurial vigour.”