NRM Director Steps Down

The National Railway Museum announced today that Paul Kirkman is leaving his post as the Director of the National Railway Museum.


Stepping down as NRM Director, Paul Kirkman welcomes ‘A3’ No. 60103 Flying Scotsman back to York after the locomotive’s inaugural main line tour on February 25 2016. THOMAS BRIGHT/SR

In a statement, the NRM said: “Paul joined the museum in 2012 on secondment from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and has led a range of developments at the museum, notably the successful return to operation of Flying Scotsman, the world’s most famous locomotive.

“The National Railway Museum is about to undergo the greatest changes since it was established in 1975 at Leeman Road in York in a former steam locomotive depot, becoming the very first national museum outside London.

“The transformation of the museum will see a radical overhaul of its main gallery, the Great Hall, to tell the inspirational story of how modern science and engineering are transforming our railways to mark the 200th anniversary of the railways in 2025.

“Alongside this, the area between the museum and York station lies at the heart of the forthcoming York Central development, colloquially called the ‘King's Cross of the North’, which will catalyse the creation of a new cultural quarter for the city over the next two decades. Paul has led the way in negotiations for these developments but as they move into a new phase, the time is right for a new Director to realise the remarkable potential of this site.

“Our aspirations for the next decade are that the museum, its contents and surroundings are transformed, with visitor numbers growing to over 1 million per year.”

“I could not be prouder of The National Railway Museum’s accomplishments during my tenure as Director,” said Mr Kirkman. “Working with the Board, curators, and the Science Museum Group, the museum is now poised for a giant leap in its development, a major transformation that will change the city and this wonderful museum.”

Ian Blatchford, Director, Science Museum Group, said: “Paul has accomplished much during his time at the Museum and we look forward to building on his achievements in coming years, to reimagine the visitor experience so the museum can demonstrate how modern science and engineering are transforming our railways, and as the York Central development builds momentum.”

Mr Blatchford also announced that he has asked Judith McNicol, Director People and Culture, to serve as interim Director until a successor is appointed.

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