Roald Dahl Museum boss steps down to ‘try something new’

The director of the Roald Dahl Museum STEVE GARDAM has announced he will step down after 10 years at the helm.

Gardam said it was “the right time to try something new” after the “thrill” of playing his part in using author Roald Dahl’s creative legacy “for good” at the Great Missenden museum.

After joining in 2015 in the build-up to Dahl’s centenary in 2016, Gardam saw the museum win multiple Visit England awards for visitor experience and two Sandford Awards for the heritage learning programme for schools.

He also oversaw the introduction of free resources for UK primary schools at Key Stage 2 to explore the United Nation Convention on the Rights of the Child through Dahl characters – also a plank of the museum’s efforts to address the author’s racism and prejudice.

In a statement, Gardam said: “I came here ten years ago with a personal mission to leave the museum better than I found it, and – allowing that improvement never stops – I think I’ve done that.”

“The museum is not immune to the typical challenges faced by many independent charities in these trying times, but it is also full of the potential I’ve worked hard to nurture over the past decade,” he said.

“There are amazing people working there doing great things which continue to deserve your time and attention.”

On its website, the museum thanked Gardam for his contribution over the last ten years “including managing the museum’s response during the pandemic and overseeing the delivery of several award-winning programmes”.

The museum has begun the process to appoint a new director.