Director of Dundee’s V&A museum steps down to take new job

Philip Long is to become the National Trust for Scotland's chief executive.

2nd Apr 2020

Philip Long OBE, the director of Dundee’s V&A museum, is stepping down from his role to become the National Trust for Scotland’s chief executive.

Appointed in 2011, Long was behind the development of all aspects of Scotland’s first design museum, which opened in 2018.

He will move on from his role though to join the National Trust once the current chief executive Simon Skinner retires in July.

Long received an OBE in the New Year’s Honours List in 2020 for services to Culture and Heritage.

On his new position, he said: “It is a great honour to be appointed as the new Chief Executive of the National Trust for Scotland, an organisation which I greatly admire, and whose properties I’ve enjoyed for many years.

“The Trust is invaluable to our nation. The buildings and landscape in its care, which it makes accessible to millions of visitors every year, are truly world-class, defining our country’s heritage, culture and identity at its most outstanding.”

Sir Mark Jones, chairman of the National Trust for Scotland said: “I can speak for the board of trustees in saying we are delighted that Philip Long has agreed to become the charity’s chief executive.

“His background in Scottish art and design is impeccable and his proven leadership skills, with which he led the V&A Dundee project to an acclaimed conclusion, will be a considerable asset to us as we face the challenges of the future.”