London Transport Museum has named Elizabeth McKay as its new director and CEO. She currently serves as the museum’s chief operating officer and deputy director.
Since joining London Transport Museum in 2018, McKay has overseen capital investment, gallery planning and design. She has also played a key role in the museum’s bid to reach net zero by 2030.
Additionally, McKay played a critical role in seeing the museum through the pandemic. London Transport Museum is now enjoying pre-pandemic attendance levels.
During the last 12 months, she has contributed to the development of the museum’s new five-year strategy to expand its programme of exhibitions, events and experiences.
McKay, who starts in the role in August, said the strategy “will begin our next chapter as we use our extraordinary collection as a springboard to ignite people’s curiosity and get them excited about shaping the future of our city“.
“I’m keen to dial up our storytelling to engage audiences with fresh, relevant content, and I am committed to delivering outstanding outcomes for young people in the areas that really matter to them: their safety, their future careers and their enthusiasm to create a greener, more sustainable world,” she added.
“I plan to increase our reach to new audiences who reflect the multicultural breadth and diversity of London, and to expand to new audiences outside the UK.”
Before joining London Transport Museum, McKay was the chief learning and engagement officer for Historic Royal Palaces. She was also an award-winning executive producer and the head of knowledge campaigns at BBC Learning.
Overseeing the museum’s new five-year strategy
Keith Ludeman, chair of London Transport Museum, said McKay’s “creativity, vitality and boundless energy will enable her to deliver our ambitious plans for the future”.
In her new job role, McKay replaces Sam Mullins, who said the museum “will continue to flourish and develop under Elizabeth’s leadership, supported by an outstanding team”.
Andy Lord, London’s transport commissioner, said McKay’s “vision, leadership and belief in the role museums play in creating social change will shape the organisation’s future growth”.
Images: London Transport Museum
