Heritage Minister, Alun Ffred Jones has announced the appointment of Elisabeth Elias as the President of Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales’ Board of Trustees.
Elisabeth Elias’ term of appointment as President will run from 1 June 2011 to 31 May 2015. Mrs Elias is currently the Vice-President of the Museum.
Heritage Minister, Alun Ffred Jones, said:
“I very much look forward to Elisabeth Elias’ contribution as President. Mrs Elias has already made an invaluable contribution as Vice President and this experience will, I am sure, stand her and the Museum in good stead.
“Her expertise will no doubt contribute significantly to the work of the Museum as it progresses with its exciting projects such as Wales’s National Museum of Art, the St Fagans redevelopment and celebrations this year to mark 10 years since the introduction of free entry to all national museums.
“Free entry to the sites of Amgueddfa Cymru was introduced by the Welsh Assembly Government 10 years ago, to enable everyone to enjoy the nation’s rich heritage of arts, sciences and social and industrial history. The policy continues to be a remarkable success, with an increase of over 80% in visitor figures since 2001.
“The 1 April this year will be 10th anniversary of free entry, since when some 15 million people will have visited the seven sites of across Wales.”
Mrs Elias said:
“I am honoured to be appointed President of Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales’ Board of Trustees and very much look forward to contributing to the important work of the Museum as a centre of learning and in its promotion of the heritage and culture of Wales. With exciting plans for the future already in train, I shall be proud to help achieve them during my term in office.”
Mr Paul Loveluck, current President of Amgueddfa Cymru said:
“I am delighted Elisabeth Elias is to be my successor. Not only will this provide much desired continuity as the National Museum, like all public sector funded organisations, has to deal with the difficult years ahead but she also brings outstanding personal qualities, great experience and commitment to the role. She has already demonstrated these in full measure in the contribution she has made as a Trustee and as Vice President.”
Mr David Anderson, Amgueddfa Cymru’s Director General said:
“The staff of Amgueddfa Cymru are delighted with the appointment of Elisabeth Elias as our new President. She has already made a major contribution to the success of the organisation, and we look forward very much to working with her in her new role.”
Elisabeth Elias read Law at St Hilda’s College, Oxford, and qualified as a barrister. From 2000-07 she was Chairman of the Council of the Girls’ Day School Trust, an organisation responsible for 26 independent girls’ schools and one of the largest charities in the UK. She sat until recently as a Chairman of the Residential Property Tribunal for Wales and was Deputy Chairman of the Board of the University of Glamorgan.
She served as a member (nominated from Wales) of the Social Security Advisory Committee from 1996 to 2005, has been Chairman of a Local Research Ethics Committee and was a non-executive member of the Board of the Welsh Health Common Services Authority from 1995 to 1999. She served as a magistrate in the Vale of Glamorgan for 18 years until 2000.
Elisabeth Elias has been a supporter of Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales for many years as a Friend and Patron and was appointed a Trustee of the Museum in 2006 and Vice-President in 2007. As Vice-President she has served on various committees of the Board, chaired the Trustee Art Group and represented the Museum on a number of public occasions. She holds no other Ministerial public appointments.
