Mark Jones has been confirmed as the interim director of the British Museum following approval by the UK government.
Per a press release, Jones is one of the world’s most experienced and respected museum leaders. “I am pleased and honoured to have been offered the opportunity to work with the board and with colleagues in the museum to ensure the future security of the collections and restore the reputation of this great museum,” he said.
Jones was announced as the interim director of the institution last week. He replaces Hartwig Fischer, who stepped down after the recent alleged theft of around 2,000 artefacts.
George Osborne, the British Museum‘s chair, said: “This is a critical moment for the British Museum, and I cannot think of anyone better placed to help take us forward than Sir Mark Jones.
“His experience, grip and deep knowledge are exactly what’s needed, and I very much look forward to working together.”
At the beginning of his career, Jones worked in a curatorial role at the British Museum for 17 years. From 1992 until 2001, he served as National Museums Scotland’s director, before working as the V&A’s director between 2001 and 2011.
Between 2011 and 2016, Jones was head of St Cross College, Oxford. In 2012, he established an award-winning independent bookshop in Edinburgh called Golden Hare Books.
Theft crisis at British Museum
In response to the theft crisis, the British Museum sacked a member of staff and started an independent review of security. The Met Police’s Economic Crime Command is also investigating.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme last month, Osborne said about 2,000 treasures are thought to have been stolen from the British Museum, but some have started to be recovered.
“We believe we have been the victim of thefts over a long period of time and frankly more could have been done to prevent them,” he said.
Images courtesy of the British Museum
