Former chancellor George Osborne named next chairman of British Museum

Former chancellor George Osborne has been named as the next chairman of the British Museum.

UNN understands Mr Osborne who is 50-year-old will join the museum’s board of trustees on 1 September after he stepped down as The Evening Standard’s editor earlier this year.

A month later, on 4 October, he will formally succeed Sir Richard Lambert as chairman.

Speaking about the news, Osborne said he was “absolutely thrilled to be joining the team” at the British Museum.

Adding to his statement he said: “[I’m] so honoured to have had the opportunity to apply for this role, and to have been chosen by the trustees to become their chair,

“All my life I have loved the British Museum. To my mind, it is quite simply the greatest museum in the world. It’s a place that brings cultures together and tells the story of our common humanity.”

The board approved his appointment unanimously, according to the museum.

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