About the NMDC

The National Museum Directors' Conference represents the leaders of the UK's national collections and major regional museums. Our members are the national museums in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, four leading regional museums, the British Library, National Library of Scotland, and the National Archives.  While our members are funded by government, the NMDC is an independent, non-governmental organisation.

The NMDC was founded in 1929, in anticipation of a Royal Commission recommendation that the national collections should 'coordinate their work and discuss matters of mutual concern'. Today the NMDC provides its membership with a valuable forum for discussion and debate and an opportunity to share information and work collaboratively. The NMDC represents its members, the issues they care about and the museums sector to policy makers and opinion formers. We work to inform and shape the museums and cultural policy agendas across the UK.

The NMDC is funded by its membership institutions, the directors of which give their time voluntarily to the organisation.

NMDC Chair

The current Chair of the NMDC is Dr. Michael Dixon, Director of the Natural History Museum.

NMDC Executive Committee

Executive Committee members meet three times a year in advance of the wider NMDC meetings to discuss current issues and priorities and agree proposals to go to the wider group. NMDC Executive Committee members play a leading role in guiding NMDC strategy and acting as spokespersons on behalf of the group, for instance at meetings with Ministers.

From April 2009, Executive Committee members are:

• Dr. Michael Dixon, Director of the Natural History Museum (Chair)
• Diane Lees, Director of the Imperial War Museum
• John Leighton, Director of National Galleries Scotland
• Neil MacGregor, Director of the British Museum
• Rita McLean, Head of Museums and Heritage Services, Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery
• Sandy Nairne, Director of the National Portrait Gallery
• Dr. Nicholas Penny, Director of the National Gallery

NMDC Staff Team

A team of three staff manages NMDC's activity:

• Suzie Tucker, Head of Strategy and Delivery 
• Katie Childs, Projects and Policy Officer
• Christine Toogood, Administrative Assistant

Contact details for the NMDC staff team.