New director for British Museum after scandal over alleged thefts

The British Museum has appointed the National Portrait Gallery head, Nicholas Cullinan, as its new director.

- David Batty

Cullinan replaces Hartwig Fischer, who resigned as director last year after accepting responsibility for the museum's failure to properly respond to warnings about suspected thefts of hundreds of items from the museum's collection.

The 46-year-old art historian and curator takes over from the interim director, Sir Mark Jones, the former head of the Victoria and Albert Museum, who stepped in to lead the museum after Fischer's resignation.

Cullinan, whose appointment was approved by the board of trustees and Rishi Sunak, will take up the role in the summer. He said: "One of the greatest museums in the world, it is an honour to become the next director of the British Museum. I look forward to joining its wonderful and dedicated staff and to work with its hugely impressive board in leading it into a new chapter.

"This will encompass the most significant transformations, both architectural and intellectual, happening in any museum globally, to continue making the British Museum the most engaged and collaborative it can be."