Doug Gurr appointed new Director

The appointment has been approved by the Prime Minister, The Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP.

Doug will take over from current Director Sir Michael Dixon who last year announced his intention to step down.

Doug is Country Manager of Amazon UK and was President of Amazon China from 2014 to 2016. He was Chair of the Board of the Science Museum from 2010 to 2014.

His previous roles include teaching mathematics and computing at the University of Aarhus in Denmark. He has also held senior roles in Government, worked as a partner at consultancy firm McKinsey, Board Director at Asda-Walmart and was founder and CEO of internet start-up Blueheath.

Doug is currently Chairman of the British Heart Foundation, a Trustee of the National Gallery, a Trustee of the Landmark Trust and non-executive Director of the Land Registry.

He has two degrees in Mathematics from the University of Cambridge, and a PhD in Computing from the University of Edinburgh.

Doug says, 'The Natural History Museum's vision of a future where people and planet thrive has never been more relevant and it is a privilege to be invited to lead this globally important cultural and scientific institution.

'I am passionate about the work the Museum is doing to tackle the planetary emergency by using its unrivalled collection and leading scientific research to connect millions of people a year with nature. I can't wait to join the team.'

Chair of the Trustees, Lord Stephen Green, says, 'Doug's academic background, considerable experience in working with public service organisations and digital understanding make him ideal to lead our treasured Museum in our mission to create advocates for the planet. The Board of Trustees and I look forward to working with him at this time of challenges and opportunities for the Museum.'

Doug will join the Museum later this year.