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Changes ahead for the National Army Museum Council
The National Army Museum (NAM) has appointed General Sir Richard Shirreff KCB CBE, most recently the British Army's Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe, as its new Chairman of Council.
Incumbent Chairman, General Sir Jack Deverell KCB OBE, is retiring from the post, having chaired the NAM through a landmark funding application to the Heritage Lottery Fund, which secured £11.5 million towards the Museum's ambitious 'Building for the Future' project.
Incoming Chairman, General Sir Richard Shirreff, has enjoyed a hugely successful career with the British Army. He has commanded on operations at every level from platoon to division, including combat in the Gulf War of 1991 as a tank squadron leader, counter-insurgency operations in Northern Ireland (three tours), together with Bosnia, Kosovo and Iraq.
Commissioned from Sandhurst into the 14th/20th King's Hussars in 1978, General Sir Richard's regimental service was spent in locations all around the world. He then commanded the King's Royal Hussars from 1994-96, moving on to subsequent command posts including the 7th Armoured Brigade, 3rd (UK) Division, the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps and NATO's Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe (with the added responsibilities for the EU as Operation Commander, Operation ALTHEA).
General Sir Richard also has extensive staff experience, including at Army HQ and in the Ministry of Defence. He is now developing his second career as a consultant/advisor in strategic risk, alongside his role of Chairman of the National Army Museum Council.
General Sir Richard says:
'Having only recently retired from my career with the British Army, this is a very exciting next step for me. I look forward to taking the helm at the NAM Council during a dynamic time for the Museum, as it undergoes ambitious change under the 'Building for the Future' project. I hope the expertise I gained from many years serving with the Army, and my subsequent passion for telling the story of the British Army to others, will be of great assistance to the Museum during this period.'
Janice Murray, Director General of the NAM, adds:
'Having benefited from General Sir Jack's guidance and expertise, the NAM wishes to thank him greatly for his work. We are all looking forward very much to working with General Sir Richard as we take the Museum to its next exciting new development phase.'
The new appointment will be in effect from July 2014.
Notes for editors
For more information, please contact the National Army Museum press office at pr@nam.ac.uk or 020 7881 2433.
National Army Museum
The National Army Museum is the leading authority on the history of the British Army. Founded in 1960 by Royal Charter and established for the purpose of collecting, preserving and exhibiting objects and records relating to the Land Forces of the British Crown it is a museum that moves, inspires, challenges, educates and entertains.
The Museum tells the story of the British Army, the personal experiences of the soldiers who have served and connects the British public and its Army demonstrating how the role of the Army and its actions are still relevant today.
Heritage Lottery Fund
Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) aims to make a lasting difference for heritage, people and communities across the UK and help build a resilient heritage economy. HLF has supported 36,000 projects with £6bn across the UK.
For more information, please contact Katie Owen, HLF press office, on tel: (020) 7591 6036 out of hours mobile: 07973 613820.
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