Professor Martin Earwicker announced today (3 December 2008) that he will be stepping down as Director of the National Museum of Science & Industry (NMSI). He will leave to take up a new post as Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive of London South Bank University.
Prof. Earwicker was appointed Director of the NMSI group, the family of museums which includes the Science Museum in London, the National Railway Museum in York and the National Media Museum in Bradford, in May 2006. He will remain in post until 5 April 2009 before beginning his new role at London South Bank University on 6 April. NMSI’s Board of Trustees, aided by Prof Earwicker, will immediately begin the process of recruiting a successor and hope to have a new Director in place by next spring.
Prof. Martin Earwicker said, “I am immensely proud of having worked for NMSI. The world-class museums enrich our cultural heritage and are going from strength to strength. I am sad to be leaving at such an exciting time; however, this new opportunity at London South Bank University is one I could not refuse and I look forward to working again for another institution that inspires innovation and creativity and encourages lifelong learning. For the past two and a half years at NMSI I have worked with many talented and hardworking individuals and I wish all at NMSI every success in the future.”
Lord Waldegrave of North Hill, Chairman of NMSI’s Board of Trustees, added, “Under Martin’s directorship, NMSI has enjoyed record visitor numbers and continues to develop plans to reach more people from more backgrounds, helping increase understanding of science, industry and culture. On behalf of the Trustees, I thank him for his dedication and his achievements during his tenure as Director.”
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For press enquiries please contact Kerry Law in the press office of the Science Museum on 020 7942 4328 or email: kerry.law@sciencemuseum.org.uk
Notes to Editors
1. Prior to joining the National Museums of Science and Industry in May 2006 Professor Martin Earwicker has held a number of senior positions including Head of Science and Engineering at the Department of Trade and Industry and Chief Executive and Accounting Officer of the Defence Science and Technology Library. He is a Visiting Professor in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Imperial College and Chairman of the Governing Board of Farnborough College of Technology. He is a Chartered Physicist, Chartered Engineer and a Fellow of the Institute of Physics. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering in 2000 and elected Companion of the Chartered Management Institute in 2005.
2. The NMSI family of museums presents and cares for some of the greatest collections of their kind in the world. The six million artefacts under its stewardship cover the fields of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, medicine, transport, visual media and related arts. They range from Crick and Watson’s original DNA model to Stephenson’s Rocket, from the Flying Scotsman to John Logie Baird’s original television apparatus. Each year NMSI museums attract a total of over four million visitors. NMSI is a Non-Departmental Public Body sponsored by the Department of Culture Media and Sport.
3. Starting life as the Borough Road Polytechnic London South Bank University (LSBU) has been part of the local landscape for over a century and is today one of the capital’s oldest universities. Since 1892, the University has prided itself on providing students with relevant and practical employment skills and supplying employers with a skilled workforce. The institution has a clear vision of being ‘a leading UK University for professional education, giving our students the chance to ‘become what you want to be’. With over 23,500 students, LSBU is one of the largest universities in London. Students are drawn there from across the globe, throughout the UK and from just around the corner. The University’s student profile is older, more part-time and more diverse than many in the UK, a fact that is appreciated by employers who consistently place LSBU graduates amongst the top ten in terms of starting salaries*. Currently the University is investing £47mil on developing the campus. The first stage of improvements will be completed in 2009. LSBU is currently ranked sixth according to the Sunday Times University Guide 2008
