Sir Ian Blatchford is one of the United Kingdom’s foremost museum leaders and cultural administrators. Since 2010, he has served as Director and Chief Executive of the Science Museum Group, which oversees the Science Museum in London as well as the National Railway Museum, the Science and Industry Museum, the National Science and Media Museum and other institutions. Prior to this, he was Deputy Director of the Victoria and Albert Museum. Educated in law at Mansfield College, Oxford, and holding a master’s degree in Renaissance Studies from the University of London, he began his career in finance before moving into the cultural sector. He has chaired major cultural and educational bodies, including the National Museum Directors’ Council, and has served as President of the Royal Literary Fund since 2020. Knighted in 2019 for services to cultural education, he is also an author and advocate for science communication and innovation.
His deep expertise in science communication, public engagement, and institution-building helps CRF translate complex policy ideas into broader societal impact.