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Mr Justin Maciejewski DSO MBE appointed Director General of the National Army Museum

The National Army Museum

National Army Museum appoints Mr Justin Maciejewski DSO MBE as the new Director General. Maciejewski will take up the position on 26 February 2018. He succeeds Janice Murray who retired in October 2017, following seven years in the position.

Justin Maciejewski brings to the National Army Museum team his experience of leadership both in the commercial sector as well as the military, following five years with McKinsey & Company as a management consultant and a 27-year career in the British Army. He has a lifelong interest in Military History. His last appointment in the Army was Director Combat, the professional head of the Royal Armoured Corps and the Infantry. Prior to that he had extensive command and staff experience and was awarded the DSO after commanding his battalion, the 2nd Battalion The Rifles, in Iraq.  During his time with McKinsey, Justin has led projects supporting clients in the private, public and third sectors, focusing on corporate strategy and the planning, implementation and leadership of large-scale business change and development. 

On leaving the Army, Justin held a brief visiting fellowship at Oxford in 2012 as part of the Changing Character of War Programme under Professor Sir Hew Strachan. He is a graduate of the UK Joint Services Staff College Higher and Advanced Courses. He holds an MA in Defence Studies from Kings College, London and graduated in History from Cambridge University where he specialised in British Imperial and Military History. 

On his appointment Justin Maciejewski said: 'I’m delighted to be taking up the position of Director General at the National Army Museum.  Having served in the Army for most of my life it will be an honour to be at the helm of a museum that not only preserves its remarkable history, but actively invites the public to engage and explore the role of its armed forces today.' 

Sir Richard Shirreff, Chairman of the Council of the National Army Museum commented: 'I am confident that Justin Maciejewski more than meets the criteria we laid down: proven leadership experience; a deep understanding of, and empathy for the Army and the values it stands for; private sector commercial experience; strategic vision; exceptional communication skills. We are confident that we have found a proven leader who will build the Museum’s capability to develop and deliver its vision and strategy, lead appropriate change and improvement, and build and develop effective relationships with our stakeholders. Equally important is the commercial experience he brings from his time at McKinsey.'

In March 2017 the National Army Museum reopened to the public following a three-year £23.75 million redevelopment. On 17 March the Museum will open its first major exhibition since the reopening. Special Forces: In the Shadows will present ideas of security and secrecy through the lens of Special Forces, exploring what these elite regiments are, the training and skills required and examples from operations around the world over the past 70 years.

Notes to Editors:

For more information, please contact the National Army Museum press office at pr@nam.ac.uk or 020 7881 2433.

National Army Museum

The National Army Museum is the leading authority on the history of the British Army. Founded in 1960 by Royal Charter and established for the purpose of collecting, preserving and exhibiting objects and records relating to the Land Forces of the British Crown it is a museum that moves, inspires, challenges, educates and entertains.

The Museum seeks to tell the story of the British Army, the personal experiences of the soldiers who have served in it and to connect the British public and its Army demonstrating how the role of the Army and its actions are still relevant today.

Justin Maciejewski DSO MBE

Justin Maciejewski will be joining the National Army Museum as Director General from March 2018. He brings to the team his experience of leadership both in the commercial sector as well as the military, following five years with McKinsey & Company as a management consultant and a 27-year career in the British Army. He has a lifelong interest in Military History.

During his time with McKinsey, Justin has led projects supporting clients in the private, public and third sectors, focusing on corporate strategy and the planning, implementation and leadership of large-scale business change and development. His Pro Bono work whilst at McKinsey has been in support of a several public art galleries and youth volunteering. He was formerly a trustee of the Tank Museum and Chairman of The Rifles Heritage Committee working closely with a network of 12 Regimental Museums in developing Heritage strategy.  

His last appointment in the British Army was as Director Combat, the professional head of the Royal Armoured Corps and the Infantry. Prior to this appointment he commanded the 12th Mechanized Brigade, a formation of about 7,000 soldiers preparing for service in Afghanistan. He served as the Chief of Staff of The 3rd (United Kingdom) Division, the United Kingdom’s largest combat formation, a force of about 25,000 soldiers.  During this period, he also deployed to Iraq as the Chief of Staff of The Multi National Division (South East), based in Basra working closely with Iraqi and US forces. He commanded 1st Battalion The Royal Green Jackets, which became 2nd Battalion The Rifles during his time in command. This period involved operational tours in Kosovo and Basra. He was awarded a Distinguished Service Order for service in Iraq. Prior to commanding a battalion Justin held a number of appointments both with The Royal Green Jackets, where he served extensively in Northern Ireland, and in various staff positions. These included in NATO HQ during the war in Bosnia and in the 1st (United Kingdom) Armoured Division as the operations officer (2001-2004) during which time he was awarded the MBE and Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service. 

On leaving the Army, Justin held a brief visiting fellowship at Oxford in 2012 as part of the Changing Character of War Programme under Professor Sir Hew Strachan. He is a graduate of the UK Joint Services Staff College Higher and Advanced Courses. He holds an MA in Defence Studies from Kings College, London and graduated in History from Cambridge University where he specialised in British Imperial and Military History.

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