V&A Dundee director to quit to take over National Trust for Scotland

The figurehead of Dundee's V&A museum has announced he is to leave the job to take over the running of Scotland's biggest conservation charity - a year and a half after the waterfront attraction opened its doors.
Dundee's waterfront V&A museum opened its doors to the public in September 2018. Picture: Frame Focus Capture Photography.Dundee's waterfront V&A museum opened its doors to the public in September 2018. Picture: Frame Focus Capture Photography.
Dundee's waterfront V&A museum opened its doors to the public in September 2018. Picture: Frame Focus Capture Photography.

Philip Long, who has been at the helm of Dundee's £80 million project from for nearly nine years, will succeed Simon Skinner as the new chief executive of the National Trust for Scotland.

The departure of Mr Long, who will take up his new post in July, has emerged just weeks after he saw visitor numbers at V&A Dundee reach their first million and new research revealed that the attraction had generated £75 million for the economy in its first year.

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The board of the museum, which was forced to close temporarily on 18 March under government advice to help curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, said it would begin the recruitment process for a new director "immediately."

Philip Long was appointed to take charge of Dundee's V&A project in April 2011. Picture: Julie HowdenPhilip Long was appointed to take charge of Dundee's V&A project in April 2011. Picture: Julie Howden
Philip Long was appointed to take charge of Dundee's V&A project in April 2011. Picture: Julie Howden

Chair Tim Allan said the role was "an exceptional opportunity to shape the next exciting chapter for the museum and its continuing impact in Dundee and Scotland."

Mr Long will lead efforts to protect some of Scotland's best-known historical attractions and landscapes, including Culzean Castle and the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, the isolated archipelago of St Kilda, the sites of of the battles of Culloden and Bannockburn, Glencoe and Ben Lomond.

The charity relies on its 365,000 members and around three million visitors a year to help support much of its conservation work.

It is currently responsible for 88 different visitor attractions, more 300,000 artefacts and more than 76,000 hectares of countryside and garden.

V&A Dundee reached the one million visitors landmark in February of this year.V&A Dundee reached the one million visitors landmark in February of this year.
V&A Dundee reached the one million visitors landmark in February of this year.

Dundee's critically-acclaimed museum, which was designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, attracted 830,000 in the 12 months following its opening in September 2018.

Mr Long said: "Leading the team which opened V&A Dundee has been a real privilege.

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"Scotland’s design museum has a remarkable, passionate team driving it forward and I wish them all the very best for V&A Dundee’s continued success and for the vital role it is playing in that city and nationally.

"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."

Mr Long's appointment was unveiled by Sir Mark Jones, chairman of the National Trust for Scotland, who left his post as director of National Museums Scotland in 2001 to take over the running of the V&A in London. He has led the trust's board since August of last year.

Sir Mark said: "Philip Long's 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.

“He has formidable knowledge of collections and exhibitions, which I am sure will be put to good use as we seek to make our properties more engaging and accessible to more people.

“I also want to offer my profound thanks to Simon Skinner. He has selflessly agreed to stay on longer as chief executive to ensure continuity of leadership pending Philip’s arrival in July.

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“Simon’s contribution to the reform and modernisation of the trust over the last five years has been immense and his leadership skills have shone through yet again during the current public health emergency."

V&A Dundee attracted more than 300,000 visitors in its first three months and 830,000 in its first 12 year. It was predicted that it would attract half a million visitors in its first year.

The museum, the centrepiece of the city’s £1 billion waterfront regeneration, has secured worldwide publicity for Dundee since the building began to take shape after work got underway in 2015.

A rescue package was agreed with its funders, including the Scottish Government and the city council months earlier after the cost of the project almost doubled from official estimates.

Mr Allan said: "Philip Long’s personal leadership, energy and commitment over nine years have seen the vision for V&A Dundee become reality.

“This is naturally poignant news for us to say farewell to the founding director of V&A Dundee but we are proud that he is moving on to lead such a nationally important organisation responsible for the care of Scotland’s heritage.

“Recruitment for Philip’s successor is already underway. It is an exceptional opportunity to shape the next exciting chapter for the museum and its continuing impact in Dundee and Scotland."

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