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Recent NewsNew Director appointed to lead Auckland War Memorial MuseumDate: 14 April 2011
Auckland War Memorial Museum has announced the appointment of Roy Clare as its new Director. Roy Clare will start on 9 August 2011, taking over the leadership of the Museum from Interim Director Sir Don McKinnon. “The Trust Board of the Museum is delighted to conclude a thorough and rigorous recruitment process with the announcement of Roy Clare’s appointment as Director,” Auckland War Memorial Museum Trust Board chairman Dr William Randall said today. “This marks the start of an exciting new chapter for the Museum and its significant contribution to the cultural life of Auckland and New Zealand generally. Roy Clare is a museum professional who will bring wonderful experience to Auckland Museum, along with an exceptional leadership style which includes a track record of listening, learning and inspiring others to work well together.” Since 2007, Clare has been Chief Executive of the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA), supporting policy development and resourcing improvement initiatives for the sector, including in more than 40 museums in locations across England. The MLA is responsible for the accreditation of museums, the designation of outstanding collections and the administration of a range of schemes that develop the strength and reputation of collections, and encourage their accessibility to people. Clare has been personally associated with initiatives that develop staff, promote leadership at all levels and recognise the merits of continual professional development. He is a regular speaker at conferences and on courses dealing with cultural leadership. From 2000 till 2007, Clare was Director of the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, where he led programmes to research and interpret themes and subjects for increasingly numerous and diverse audiences. He expanded the resources to support scholarship, schools and informal learning and he and his team initiated a number of highly successful exhibitions. He planned, raised £18 million for and delivered a new planetarium, galleries and learning centre in the Royal Observatory; and he launched a £25 million project to reveal the museum’s archival and library collections in a new wing that opens in July 2011. Auckland Museum Interim Director Sir Don McKinnon – who stepped into this role in June 2010 – said: “I’m delighted Roy Clare has been appointed to lead the Museum following an extremely thorough recruitment process. He will inspire collaboration and fresh ideas, and draw on his extensive museum and leadership experience and skills to make the Museum an even more compelling and meaningful part of Auckland and national life. “This is an exciting appointment for Auckland. I am sure that Roy’s inclusive and professional leadership will be highly valued by staff and everyone associated with the Museum in the months and years ahead.” In a note to Auckland Museum staff, Roy Clare said: “New Zealand has a long, rich history and I see Auckland as a city at the very heart of the nation''s global influence and appeal. The Auckland Museum has a fabulous collection and is able to engage people in countless stories of human endeavour, heroism, passion, suffering, success and resilience. “In tackling these themes I look forward very much to leading and working with a talented team. Together we will build up scholarship, continue to reflect and respond to Maori culture and produce exhibitions and programmes that inform, surprise and entertain. It is a privilege to be invited to help the Museum Board nourish and develop one of the city''s leading institutions contributing to a stronger sense of place and identity. It will be a personal pleasure to reach beyond the walls, to listen to what Aucklanders want, to interpret and share the narrative and to connect with visitors and users from across the world.” Clare highlighted how important it is for museums to develop leadership and partner well. "I have worked closely with colleagues in the UK and overseas to shape, lead and develop strong partnerships and collaboration between museums; and between museums and tourism, culture, the arts and learning more generally. Sustainable museums are those that share collections, engage audiences and reach beyond their walls; these are vital ideas in a time when economies across the globe are not yet in full recovery. I look forward to investing in the people who work in the Auckland Museum, helping them to develop their talent and expertise and ensuring they have the pace and professional capacities to compete across the world. " Clare was awarded the CBE in June 2007 for his services to museums. He was a Trustee of the historic vessel HMS Bronington when she was displayed and opened to the public in Manchester 1989-1999. He instigated the opening in 1999 of the Britannia Museum within the Royal Naval College in Dartmouth; and he oversaw the opening of the college to paying visitors. Clare and his wife Sarah have three adult children who work in the UK. A keen yachtsman, he competed in the first Whitbread Round the World Yacht Race, as Chief Mate in Adventure, winning the leg from Rio de Janeiro to Portsmouth in 1974. Media contact:
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