The CEO of York Museums Trust, Reyahn King, is to step down from the role in Summer, taking up a new position as Director of Heritage Properties at the National Trust for Scotland.
King joined York Museums Trust in 2015, taking over the leadership of the independent charity which cares for the city of York’s collections and operates York Castle Museum, Yorkshire Museum, York Museum Gardens, York Art Gallery and York St Marys.
During her seven-year tenure, York Museums Trust said King had introduced a “new vision and mission that puts audiences and communities at the heart of York Museums Trust’s work”, while also strengthening the charity’s fundraising activity and generating increased revenue from commercial activities.
King also oversaw the opening of two new permanent galleries: Jurassic Yorkshire at the Yorkshire Museum and Shaping the Body at York Castle Museum.
York Museums Trust will begin recruitment for King’s successor in Spring.
King said of the move: “It has been a joy and a privilege to lead the amazing staff at York Museums Trust and to be part of York’s cultural scene. I am thrilled to be joining National Trust for Scotland at a time when NTS is doing such important work for Scottish culture, heritage and nature.”
Phil Long OBE, Chief Executive of the National Trust for Scotland, welcomed King’s appointment and experience.
He said: “The National Trust for Scotland’s portfolio of properties is the foundation of all that we do. Caring for them also means caring for the stories of Scotland, and enabling everybody to find out about and be inspired by our shared heritage.”
James Grierson, York Museums Trust Chair, said of King: “The richness of experience she has had in York will, I am sure, be put to very effective use with the National Trust for Scotland and, whilst my fellow trustees and I will be sorry to lose her, Reyahn leaves behind a significant legacy, and one of the most exciting jobs in the sector, and I’m confident that her successor will be very well-placed to take York Museums Trust on the next stage of its journey.”
