Dr Tristram Hunt will resign as Labour MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central to take up the post as new Director of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Hunt has a First Class degree and PhD in history from the University of Cambridge, and has written and lectured on British and international culture He is an expert on the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, with a particular focus on Victorian urban history.
Commenting on the announcement, V&A Chairman Nicholas Coleridge said of Hunt, “He has a highly compelling mixture of experience across public life, the arts, history, education and academia, and knows our collections well from his writing and broadcasting. In addition, he is an informed and articulate leader and communicator on numerous facets of culture, both historic and contemporary, and I greatly look forward to working with him at the V&A.”
The combination of the power of the collections and expertise of an inspirational team is what makes the V&A the world’s greatest Museum of art, design and performance
Hunt added, “I am delighted and honoured to have been appointed Director of the V&A. I have loved the V&A since I was a boy, and today it is a global leader in its unrivalled collections, special exhibitions, academic research and visitor experience.
“It is a moment of transformation and renewal for the V&A, with the upcoming opening of the new Exhibition Road entrance, and new sites and galleries in Dundee, China and Stratford. I am particularly pleased that, through the V&A ownership of the Wedgwood Collection, my passion for education in Stoke-on-Trent can continue.
“The combination of the power of the collections and expertise of an inspirational team is what makes the V&A the world’s greatest Museum of art, design and performance. I am honoured to take on this exciting opportunity.”
Since entering Parliament in 2010, Hunt has held the posts of Shadow Secretary of State and Shadow Minister for Education.
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/jan/13/tristram-hunt-to-quit-as-mp-to-become-va-director
