Will Gompertz, the artistic director at the Barbican, has been named the new director of the Sir John Soane’s Museum in London.
Gompertz will take up the post on 1 January 2024. He replaces the institution’s current director Bruce Boucher, who is retiring at the end of this year after nearly eight years.
“I am delighted to be joining Sir John Soane’s Museum at such an exciting time, following decades of restoration across the renowned architect’s extraordinary house and collection led by its brilliant conservators, curators, and previous directors,” Gompertz said. “I look forward to championing the museum and Soane’s vision, bringing audiences to our newly-restored home and taking Soane’s vision out into the world.”
New director to start in 2024
The new director became the Barbican‘s artistic director in 2021. Prior to that, he was the BBC’s arts editor for 11 years. He also spent seven years as a director of the Tate.
Lord Sassoon, the chair of the museum’s trustees, said Gompertz is “one of today’s leading thinkers and communicators across the arts”.
“Sir John Soane’s Museum is the finest monument in the world to the life, work and collections of a single creative genius, and Will is the person to build on Soane’s legacy.”
Established in 1813 and designed by architect Sir John Soane, the museum in Lincoln’s Inn Fields is home to his collection of paintings, sculptures, artefacts and models.
Record attendance at London museum
The institution has undergone a restoration project in recent years and attracted record visitor numbers in 2022 and 2023.
“Will is known to everybody at the Barbican for his boundless energy and infectious enthusiasm,” said Claire Spencer, CEO of the Barbican.
“He leaves behind him a strong legacy of projects delivered and still in development and his positive impact on the Barbican will be felt for a long time to come.”
