V&A Dundee announces four new board members ahead of museum’s tenth anniversary

V&A Dundee has announced four new appointments to its Board as Scotland’s design museum prepares for its tenth anniversary in 2028.

Former Dundee City Council leader John Alexander is among those joining the museum’s Board, alongside internationally recognised accessibility campaigner Sinéad Burke, creative industries expert Eliza Easton and former investment management chief executive Mark Murray.

The appointments come as V&A Dundee looks towards its next chapter, including major improvements to its Scottish Design Galleries and the wider visitor experience.

The museum is currently preparing for a significant redevelopment project, supported by £2.6 million in UK Government funding alongside a private fundraising campaign.

Four new faces joining V&A Dundee

The newly appointed Board members bring experience across local government, business, accessibility, design, finance and the creative industries.

John Alexander, who previously served as Leader of Dundee City Council, is currently Chief Executive of Hillcrest.

He led the council during the opening of V&A Dundee in September 2018 and remained in the role throughout the museum’s first six years.

His experience includes major regeneration projects, economic development and public service.

Sinéad Burke is an internationally recognised advocate for accessible and inclusive design.

As founder and CEO of Tilting the Lens, she has worked with major organisations including The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Chanel and British Vogue to improve disability inclusion and accessibility.

She has also held advisory roles with ITV, Gucci and the Irish Government.

Eliza Easton is the founder of Erskine Analysis, an organisation specialising in research into the creative industries and their influence on society and the economy.

Her work has helped inform UK policy on cultural funding, regional development and the creative sector.

Meanwhile, Mark Murray brings extensive experience in finance and business leadership, having spent 28 years at Artemis Investment Management, including ten years as Chief Executive Officer.

During his time with the company, he helped oversee its growth into a major investment management business handling more than £40 billion in assets.

Looking ahead to V&A Dundee’s tenth anniversary

The appointments come at an important time for V&A Dundee, which will celebrate ten years since opening its doors in September 2028.

Since welcoming its first visitors in 2018, the museum has become one of Dundee’s most recognisable landmarks and a major part of the city’s cultural offering.

Looking ahead, V&A Dundee is preparing to transform its Scottish Design Galleries and improve the experience for visitors throughout the building.

The project is being supported by £2.6 million of capital investment from the UK Government, alongside additional private fundraising.

The new Board members will help provide advice and oversight as these plans progress.

Tim Allan CBE, Chair of V&A Dundee’s Board, welcomed the appointments.

“It is a great pleasure to welcome four such exceptional figures to the Board of V&A Dundee.”

He added that the museum was looking forward to celebrating its tenth anniversary and reflecting on its impact on Dundee, Scotland and the wider cultural world.

An exciting new chapter for Dundee’s design museum

The four new members will join an existing Board with experience across business, climate change, culture, equalities, law and media.

Representatives of the museum’s founding partners, including Dundee City Council, the University of Dundee, Abertay University, Scottish Enterprise and the V&A, are also involved in its governance.

With its tenth anniversary approaching and major improvements planned, the appointments mark another step in shaping the museum’s future.

And with 2028 set to be a milestone year for V&A Dundee, there is plenty to look forward to as one of the city’s most recognisable cultural attractions prepares for its next decade.