Our independent panel of judges are selected for their extensive experience. As individuals, they have devoted enormous amounts of energy and dedication to the sector and provide expert scrutiny to ensure our winners are deserving of their accolade. They sit on the judging panel in their own right, not on behalf of their respective organisations, and give their time and commitment freely. As leading lights in the museums world, their combined knowledge makes these awards the very best they can be.
Dame Diane Lees has been Director General of the Imperial War Museums since October 2008. Leading on the Museums’ international programme and cultural festival for the First World War centenary.
Sara Wajid is joint CEO of Birmingham Museums Trust, one of the UK’s largest independent museum trusts.
Bernard Donoghue has been the Director of ALVA since September 2011 following a career in advocacy, communications and lobbying, latterly at a senior level in the tourism and heritage sector.
Maggie Appleton MBE was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Air Force Museum in October 2014 and took up her post on 12 January 2015.
Matthew Tanner has worked in the maritime heritage sector for 20 years. He has specialised in bringing maritime heritage to life for non-maritime audiences.
Sam Mullins OBE has been Director of the London Transport Museum since 1994, where he has overseen the development of the world’s premier museum of urban transport and the social history of transport in London past, present and future.
Caro Howell is Director of the Foundling Museum and with her previous work as an independent museum education consultant in the UK and abroad, brings a welcome perspective to the panel.
As Director of Commercial and Tourism of Historic Environment Scotland, Stephen is charged with managing the visitor experience, education and interpretation activities across a diverse portfolio to over 3 million visitors annually.
