Zak Mensah

Zak Mensah is co-CEO of Birmingham Museums Trust, jointly responsible for setting the direction of the organisation alongside Sara Wajid MBE. The pair took up their roles in November 2020, creating the UK museum sector's first job-share CEO partnership.

Mensah has a background in digital, staff development and organisational transformation. Before joining Birmingham Museums Trust, he was head of transformation for the Culture & Creative Industries Service at Bristol City Council, having previously held the role of head of digital. Earlier in his career, he worked in digital media and education, including roles with the University of Bristol, the University of Leicester and Jisc.

At Birmingham Museums, Mensah has focused on developing the organisation as a more entrepreneurial, digitally enabled and audience-focused cultural business. He has championed experimentation with new technologies, business models and partnerships, including the use of Shopify to bring ticketing, retail and food and beverage sales together.

He is also committed to putting communities at the centre of museum decision-making. Under his and Wajid’s leadership, Birmingham Museums launched the UK's first Citizens’ Jury in a museum setting in 2024, with recommendations subsequently incorporated into the Trust’s strategy and long-term plan.

In 2025, Birmingham Museums Trust teamed up with Equity Energies to accelerate its sustainability initiatives as it works towards its 2040 net zero commitment.

Mensah is a regular public speaker and trustee of the Association for Cultural Enterprises.