HS2 leader and former council boss to head up Birmingham Museums Trust board

STEPHEN HUGHES, a former chief executive of Birmingham City Council for nearly 10 years, has been named chair of Birmingham Museums Trust.

He will take up his post in February 2026, succeeding NIELS DE VOS who will have completed his maximum tenure of six years.

Before becoming leader of Europe’s largest local authority from 2005 to 2014, Hughes was strategic director of resources there, having joined the council in 2004.

Since leaving the city council, he has held a number of senior non-executive roles, including chair of Housing 21, and is a non-executive director at High Speed Two (HS2) Ltd.

Councillor SAIMA SULEMAN, cabinet member for digital, culture, heritage and tourism at Birmingham City Council, said Hughes would be “a great asset” bringing experience across governance, transformation and infrastructure to the trust at a “challenging but exciting time for Birmingham’s cultural landscape”.

Hughes said the role was “a privilege”, noting that “the trust’s collections and stories have the power to bring people together, spark dialogue and foster cohesion across our diverse communities.”

SARA WAJID and ZAK MENSAH, co-chief executives of Birmingham Museums Trust, added: “We are immensely grateful to Niels for his dedication and guidance over the past six years. His leadership helped us navigate unprecedented challenges and emerge stronger, more ambitious, and more connected to our communities.

“We’re excited to welcome Stephen and continue this journey of transformation together.”