National Army Museum Appoints New Head of Collections

The Council of the National Army Museum is pleased to announce the appointment of the Museum’s new Assistant Director (Collections) Mr David Bownes from 19 March 2012.

David Bownes

Mr Bownes is a museum professional with nearly 20 years of Curatorial and Collections Management experience. Having held curatorial posts at the Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum and the Imperial War Museum, his most recent position has been at the London Transport Museum, where he has worked since 2002. Rising to the position of Head Curator, he was responsible for the strategic management of the Museum’s Collections, images and knowledge and was a core member of the team who delivered the HLF-funded Museum redisplay in 2007.

Mr Bownes has also published several books on museum collections and is an experienced broadcaster and public speaker.

David Bownes said: 'I am delighted to be appointed to the role of the Assistant Director (Collections) and to be working with this unique Collection. It is a very exciting time to be joining the National Army Museum as it looks to undertake an ambitious redevelopment programme, including the redisplay of its permanent galleries. It will be a great challenge and I’m excited to be working with the team to achieve this.'

David replaces Dr Peter Boyden who retired from the Museum after 38 years’ service in January 2012.

Museum Director Mrs Janice Murray said: 'On behalf of the Council and staff, we are thrilled to welcome David Bownes to the National Army Museum. He brings with him a wealth of Collections Management experience and we anticipate great developments for the Collection under his care. We would like to thank Dr Peter Boyden for his continued dedication to the Museum. His enthusiasm and extensive knowledge of the Collection will be sorely missed.'

Ends

For more information or images, please contact:

• National Army Museum press office
  pr@nam.ac.uk
  020 7881 2433

Notes to editors

The National Army Museum explores the impact of the British Army on the story of Britain, Europe and the world; how Britain's past has helped to shape our present and our future and how the actions of a few can affect the futures of many.

The National Army Museum was established by Royal Charter to tell the story of the Land Forces of the Crown wherever they were raised. Opened by the Queen in 1960, it moved to its current site in Chelsea in 1971.