Royal Armouries bids farewell to its long-standing chairman - Monday, 14 November 2011
Royal Armouries’ chairman Ann Green CBE has bowed out following 13 highly successful years at the helm of Britain’s oldest museum.
Ann – who has worked tirelessly to raise the profile of museums and to improve the visitor experience – can look back on many achievements and personal successes during her years in office.
Ann is succeeded by interim chairman, General Lord Dannatt GCB CBE MC DL, who is also Constable of the Tower of London.
Her many highlights as chairman include:
- Establishing a new museum in the United States in 2004, thanks to a unique collaboration with the Frazier International History Museum in Louisville, Kentucky. This was the first time a British national museum had opened a branch in the USA.
- Saving the Pattern Room – the Royal Armouries’ National Firearms Centre is the custodian of the national collection of firearms. Started in 1631, this collection was moved from the Tower of London in 1841 to the Royal Small Arms Factory at Enfield, following a fire. Then known as the Enfield Pattern Room, it moved again to Nottingham in 1989. It was finally reunified with the rest of the Royal Armouries’ firearms collection in 2005, when it was gifted by the Ministry of Defence, following closure of the Nottingham site.
- Welcoming representatives from Japan – and speaking in Japanese – at the opening of the Shogun exhibition.
- Leading the £3.5 redevelopment of Fort Nelson in Hampshire – home to the national collection of big guns – into a museum for the 21st Century.
- Receiving the CBE – for services to museums!
Looking back, Ann said, “There have been many highlights and achievements. I will particularly miss the camaraderie of the Board, which has become an active, worthwhile and highly effective body.
“I am standing down because 13 years is a long time to serve on any Board – my tenure as chairman has already been extended twice. Looking ahead, I have been appointed as Chairman of the Governors and Pro-Chancellor at York St John University, and I am relishing that new challenge very much. My links with our heritage continue though, as I retain the chairmanship at Hadrian’s Wall Heritage”
Director General and Master of the Royal Armouries, Lieutenant-General Jonathon Riley, led the tributes to Ann, on behalf of the museum’s trustees and staff.
He said, “We are indebted to Ann and we wish her every good fortune in her new post. We will miss her considerable experience and drive, her highly-effective business and communications skills, plus dedication and tireless commitment to both the Armouries, and to Britain’s national heritage.
“The Royal Armouries of today bears little resemblance to the organisation of 13 years ago, when Ann’s tenure began. We are in great shape to continue her sterling work and efforts, and to continue safeguarding the national collection for generations to come.”
A prominent Yorkshire businesswoman, Ann has been a trustee of the Royal Armouries since 1998 and Chairman since April 2003. She is also director of several private companies.
As a result of her wide experience of the public, private and voluntary sectors, Ann was appointed a non-executive director of the Department of Culture, Media and Sport for two years in May 2009. Other current directorships include Stag Security Services Ltd and she also chairs Hadrian’s Wall Heritage Ltd, a private company formed four years ago to improve the visitor experience and help regenerate the Hadrian’s Wall corridor.
With an extensive interest in the USA and Canada, Ann is a member of the Frazier International History Museum’s Board in Louisville, Kentucky and has been honoured both as a Kentucky Colonel and with the freedom of the city of Louisville.
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Notes to editors
- Royal Armouries is the national museum of arms and armour and has sites in Leeds, HM Tower of London, Fort Nelson and Louisville, Kentucky. It is the first British national museum to open a permanent presence in another country
- Admission to the museum is free. However, there may be a small charge for some special events.
- Open all year daily, 10am-5pm. Closed 24-25 December
- Information Line: 0113 220 1999
- Website: www.royalarmouries.org
- The Royal Armouries Museum should not be confused with Royal Armouries International plc, the private sector corporate hospitality business.
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