The Royal Mint Museum has appointed Sir David Cannadine as Chair of the Board of Trustees, replacing Dr Andrew Burnett who concluded his tenure earlier this year.
Sir David Cannadine is Dodge Professor of History at Princeton University and a distinguished British author and historian specialising in modern history, business history and philanthropy. He is the author of 20 books and editor of numerous volumes, with scholarly interests spanning the economic, social, political and cultural history of modern Britain and its Empire and the United States.
His previous appointments include Chair of the National Portrait Gallery, Chair of the Blue Plaque Committee, Vice-Chair of Historic Royal Palaces and President of the British Academy from 2017 to 2021. Sir David is currently a Trustee of the Wolfson Foundation and a Governor of the London Museum.
Commenting on his appointment, Sir David said:
“I am delighted to be taking on the role of Chair of the Royal Mint Museum.
“It is a particular honour to be picking up the baton from Andrew Burnett, one of the foremost figures in Britain’s museum community. I will look to build on the excellent leadership he provided and, working with the team who run the museum, I will draw on all my experience to make the museum’s future projects as successful and engaging as possible.
“It is a remarkable collection, global in its reach and full of potential for developing partnerships to bring an important aspect of our national life to a much wider audience.”
Museum Director Dr Kevin Clancy said:
“Sir David Cannadine has been a defining presence for many years in Britain's cultural and heritage organisations, and we are thrilled that he has agreed to be Chair of our Board of Trustees.
“His involvement with our programmes will elevate the status of the museum and I have no doubt that he will help to shape all we seek to achieve in the years ahead.”
Dr Andrew Burnett, the outgoing Chair, is a highly respected numismatist and museum professional who was Deputy Director of the British Museum from 2002 to 2013, and President of the Royal Numismatic Society from 2013 to 2018.
Reflecting on his tenure, Dr Burnett said:
“Looking back over the years I am very proud of what the Royal Mint Museum staff have achieved, in particular moving the organisation strongly into the digital world.
“I am very grateful to them for all they have done, and I wish them and my successor well for an exciting future.”
Sir David joins fellow trustees Amanda Brady, Anna Brennand, Professor Swati Dhingra, Dafydd James and Mario Pisani on the Board.
