The Director of the Fitzwilliam Museum, Tim Knox, has accepted an appointment as Director of the Royal Collection.
As Director, Mr Knox will be responsible for the care of the Royal Collection and its presentation to the public, and for the management of the public opening of the official residences of The Queen.
Mr Knox has been Director of the Fitzwilliam Museum since April 2013. During his four and a half years in charge he co-ordinated a programme of events and exhibitions to mark the Museum’s bicentenary in 2016. The celebrations culminated in a visit by Their Royal Highnesses, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, in November last year.
From 2005 to 2013, Mr Knox was Director of Sir John Soane’s Museum in London. Before that he was Head Curator at the National Trust.
During his time at the Fitzwilliam, Mr Knox oversaw a series of major improvements to the buildings, notably the refurbishment of the portico and railings of the Founder’s Building. He also initiated and developed with colleagues a comprehensive Masterplan for the Fitzwilliam Museum, working with the architects MUMA and the University’s Estates Department.
His tensure also saw a number of major new acquisitions for the Fitzwilliam, such as Pedro de Mena’s Virgin of Sorrows, the Castle Howard Cabinets, and Jean-Léon Gérôme’s Portrait of his brother, Claude-Armand.
Professor Eilís Ferran, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Institutional and International Relations said: “Tim Knox has steered the Fitzwilliam Museum through an exciting time in its history. Overseeing the events and exhibitions to mark its bicentenary year was a major achievement. The two main exhibitions of that year, ‘Death on the Nile’ and ‘COLOUR: The Art and Science of Illuminated Manuscripts’, contributed to the Fitzwilliam’s biggest ever annual attendance. Tim has played a key role in the University of Cambridge Museums Group, including helping to steer its successful bid for Arts Council funding. He leaves the Fitzwilliam Museum in a very strong position and we wish him every success in his future career.”
Mr Knox said: “I have been Director of the Fitzwilliam Museum since April 2013 and have loved running this extraordinary Cambridge institution."
The Fitzwilliam Museum is recognised as one of the nation’s most significant University Museums with one of the finest collections of paintings, drawings and prints in Britain.
Mr Knox will take up his new role in the New Year.