Ken Barbour, a highly experienced and senior museums manager, has been appointed as head of London’s newest museum, the Wandsworth Museum in south-west London.

The appointment, announced by the Board of Trustees today, follows the resignation of Andrew Leitch, the first director, on health grounds. Responsible in recent months for establishing and implementing the operations of the new Wandsworth Museum, Mr Barbour assumes responsibility for running the Wandsworth Museum with immediate effect.  

Mr Barbour will develop a full programme of events at the Wandsworth Museum for next year, building on the launch programme established by Andrew Leitch that culminated in the Museum’s official opening by the Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP, Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, and Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, on 1 September.

Mr Barbour headed up all aspects of visitor experience for five years at the world-renowned Science Museum in London, managing a staff of more than 100 people and implementing initiatives such as simulator rides and IMAX 3-D cinema with a view to bringing fresh and stimulating experiences to visitors. Mr Barbour was also a Curator and Head of Visitor Services at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, Canada, where he spent 12 years. A trained botanist, he holds a science degree from the University of Western Ontario, Canada.

Commenting on his appointment and plans for the Museum, Ken Barbour said:
“I am excited to be taking on and continuing the challenge of developing a stimulating and engaging regional museum for the 21st century. Building on the solid foundation already put in place by Andrew Leitch, I hope to make Wandsworth Museum the cultural centre of the borough.”

Dorothy Hintze, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, said:
“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I would like to thank Andrew Leitch for his hard work in preparing the Wandsworth Museum for launch, and wish him well in the future. However, we are delighted to appoint Ken Barbour as head of the Museum in the knowledge that his experience and expertise will continue to keep the Wandsworth Museum moving forward to become a vibrant and essential part of the local community.”

 

November 5, 2010