Fashion Museum Bath announces new board line up

Fashion Museum Bath has appointed broadcaster SHARANJIT LEYL and Barbican Centre’s director of buildings and renewal PHILIPPA SIMPSON as its co-chairs, alongside eight new trustees to its foundation board.

Established in 2024, The Fashion Museum Foundation is an independent charity dedicated to supporting the establishment and long-term sustainability of the new museum’s new site in the city’s Grade II listed Old Post Office, which is expected to open in winter 2030.

Leyl is a journalist who spent 18 years with the BBC’s global television news channel, covering business and politics. She has also presented for Bloomberg and CBC. She was appointed chancellor of Bath Spa University in May 2024 and regularly moderates debates for the United Nations, the Asian Development Bank and other multilateral institutions.

Before her role at the Barbican, Simpson was director of design, estate and public programme at the V&A. She also previously served as a curator at Tate and Royal Museums Greenwich and is a trustee of Regents Park Open Air Theatre.

The board’s new trustees are: executive director of sustainable communities at Bath & North East Somerset Council, SOPHIE BROADFIELD; Bath Liberal Democrat councillor and a former fundraiser FIONA GOURLEY; chair of Film Bath and sales director at Total Ticketing, MARTIN HAIGH; co-lead of responsible business practice agency Flourish CSR LOUISE MCCABE; art advisor, creative consultant, founder of Francis Gallery in Bath and Los Angeles and co-founder of Cereal Magazine ROSA PARK; former solicitor and chair of the London Boroughs Association Housing and Social Services Committee SIMON RANDALL; pro-vice chancellor at Bath Spa University ANDY SALMON and chair of Dewhurst Dent plc, ROBERT YENTOB.

Leyl said, “I’m thrilled to be the co-chair for the board of trustees for Fashion Museum Bath, an institution that will be a star attraction in our city and across the South West. With its world-leading collection, it will draw countless visitors locally and from around the world.”

“As chancellor of Bath Spa University, I welcome the museum’s role in educating on fashion history and the global textile trade. Having interviewed the heads of top fashion brands, I look forward to forging new partnerships and having a world-class museum in the South West that celebrates this extraordinary industry”.

Simpson added, “I’m so thrilled to be joining the board of Fashion Museum Bath at this pivotal moment in its history. The plans to amplify its wonderful work, bring the collection to life and welcome new visitors – both to the museum and the city – are truly transformational. It’s a privilege to be involved.”