New MLA Council chief executive announced

The Museums, Libraries and Archives Council Board has appointed Roy Clare CBE as its new chief executive. He was previously director of the National Maritime Museum, Queen's House and Royal Observatory, Greenwich from 2000 until May 2007, and joins MLA Council in September.

At Greenwich, Roy increased the tempo of the museum, building new audiences and creating wider partnerships, including instigating the ‘Sea Britain 2005’ initiative to commemorate the bicentenary of Nelson’s victory at Trafalgar. He shaped the £16m project to modernise services and facilities at the Royal Observatory and oversaw a succession of successful exhibitions and programmes in the National Maritime Museums and Queen's House.

Formerly a rear admiral in the Royal Navy, he commanded the aircraft carrier HMS Invincible and the Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth. For ten years he was a trustee of the historic vessel HMS Bronington and he created the Britannia Museum of Officer Training in Dartmouth. He is a Board member of the Creative and Cultural Skills Council (the Council for the Cultural Heritage Sector) and has also lectured in the sector including on behalf of the Clore Leadership Foundation.

He was awarded the CBE for services to museums in June 2007.

Roy Clare will replace Chris Batt as chief executive.  Chris is stepping down in September after four successful years which saw him implement Renaissance investment in regional museums, and particularly, ‘The People’s Network’ for which he received his OBE.