Ian Blatchford Explained

Honorific Prefix:Sir
Ian Blatchford
Honorific-Suffix:FSA
Birth Name:Ian Craig Blatchford
Nationality:British
Known For:Director of Science Museum Group
Alma Mater:Mansfield College, Oxford
Birkbeck, University of London
Employer:Bank of England
Barclays de Zoete Wedd
Royal Academy of Arts
Victoria and Albert Museum
Science Museum (London)
Occupation:Museum director

Sir Ian Craig Blatchford, FSA (born 17 August 1965)[1] is the director of the Science Museum Group, which oversees the Science Museum in London, England and other related museums.[2] He was previously deputy director of the Victoria and Albert Museum, opposite the Science Museum on Exhibition Road in South Kensington, southwest London.

Blatchford studied law at Mansfield College, Oxford.[3] He also holds an MA degree in Renaissance studies at Birkbeck, University of London.

Ian Blatchford started his career working at the Bank of England and the merchant bankers Barclays de Zoete Wedd in the City of London. He then joined the Arts Council as the deputy finance director. He moved to the marketing and design agency Cricket Communications, working in the position of financial controller. In 1996. he joined the Royal Academy of Arts as the director of finance.

In April 2002, Blatchford joined the Victoria and Albert Museum as director of finance and resources. He then became deputy director in December 2004. He left to be director of the National Museum of Science and Industry in October 2010.[4]

Blatchford is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants and the Society of Antiquaries (FSA). He was chairman of the governors of De Montfort University.[5] [6] He was appointed a Knight Bachelor in the 2019 New Year Honours for services to Cultural Education.

Blatchford was awarded a Pushkin Medal in 2015, personally presented by Vladimir Putin.[7] He returned it in March 2022, in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.[8]

Notes and References

  1. News: Weekend birthdays . . 49 . 16 August 2014 .
  2. Web site: National Museum of Science & Industry appoints new Director . 24 April 2011 . 10 September 2010 . . UK . https://web.archive.org/web/20110323175813/http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/about_us/press_and_media/press_releases/2010/09/new_director.aspx . 23 March 2011 . dead .
  3. Web site: V&A deputy to head national museum group . 24 April 2011. 10 September 2010. Exhibitionroad.com.
  4. News: Science Weekly podcast: Have science museums had their day? . Ian . Sample . . UK . 24 September 2012 . 16 June 2014 .
  5. Web site: 'I quit in November' says DMU senior leader. Dan. Martin. 8 February 2019. Leicestermercury. 7 June 2019.
  6. Web site: Ian Blatchford: Director and Chief Executive, The Science Museum Group; Chairman of the Board of Governors at De Montfort University . . UK . 16 June 2014 .
  7. News: Sparks. John. 11 December 2015. Top Russian Honour For Science Museum Head. Sky News. dead. 2015-12-11. https://web.archive.org/web/20151214184529/http://news.sky.com/story/1604088/top-russian-honour-for-science-museum-head . 2015-12-14.
  8. Web site: Ian Blatchford hands back Pushkin Medal in response to Ukraine invasion . . 4 March 2022 .