The Museum of London has announced two new appointments to its Board of Governors, who will take up their roles with immediate effect.
Bridget Banton and Samir Patel have been appointed to “bring their skills from digital, creative and communications industries” , the museum said, as it moves to a new home in Smithfield.
Patel is CEO of Comic Relief, and formerly worked in consultancy with brands including the Natural History Museum, Tate Modern, Google, Amnesty International, and UNHCR.
He also formerly served as a steering committee member of The Museum for the United Nations — UN Live.
Patel said: “The museum has a huge amount to offer, and its transition offers the potential for a place where all Londoners can see a space for themselves. I’m delighted to be on the Board working with Sharon Ament and the team to realise their vision.”
Banton is a creative consultant and founder of Dear Creative Gurl, a consultancy delivering strategic advice, storytelling and content development to production companies, broadcasters and tech start-ups.
She is a Strategic Advisor to B Corp UK, a full voting member of BAFTA, a fellow of the RSA and a volunteer mentor for ScreenSkills, the training body for the screen industry.
Banton has held commissioning roles at Channel 4, the BBC, and Penguin Random House UK. She is also a qualified primary school teacher.
On her appointment, Banton, said: “I’m thrilled to join the board at this exciting juncture and look forward to playing my part in the museum’s development.”
Banton and Patel are appointed to the Museum’s Board by the Mayor of London for the Greater London Authority (GLA). The museum’s Board is comprised of eighteen members, half of which are appointed by the Mayor of London and the other half by the City of London Corporation
Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries , Justine Simons OBE, said of the appointments: “As plans for the museum’s new site come to life, it is key to have a wide range of expertise and perspectives that represent all Londoners. The new museum will be a fantastic addition to our city, creating jobs and securing our position as a global creative capital, as we continue to build a better and fairer London for everyone.”
The appointments come as the museum moves to its new Smithfield location, a London Wall site closed as a visitor attraction in December 2022. It is expected to welcome its first visitors to a festival curated by Londoners at Smithfield in 2025, before opening to the public under its new name- the London Museum- in 2026.
