18 April 2018

Yesterday, the Henley Standard wrote that the River and Rowing Museum in Henley-on-Thames has appointed Dr Sarah Posey as the new director of the museum. She will join the museum in June in time for the institution to celebrate its 20th anniversary.

Dr Posey has previously worked as head of collections, interpretation and learning at the Royal Pavilion and Museums in Brighton and Hove.

‘I am delighted to be taking up the post of director at the River and Rowing Museum. It is a special place – striking building with distinctive collections and dynamic programmes, including outstanding work with schools,’ Dr Posey told the Henley Standard. ‘I am very excited to be joining the museum as it celebrates its 20th anniversary and leading it in its next phase of development. I look forward to working with the trustees and museum team to build on its success and ensure that even more people can enjoy this jewel on the banks of the Thames.’

David Worthington, the museum’s chairman of trustees, told the newspaper: ‘I’m thoroughly looking forward to Sarah joining us. She brings a wealth of knowledge on how museums engage with audiences of all ages and interests and in the short time that I’ve known her, I’ve really enjoyed listening to her thoughts on how we move the museum forward. I feel very confident that we have a bright future. I would also like to thank Molly Jackson who has guided the museum through the recent interim period.’

Dr Posey replaces Ludo Keston, of Stratford-upon-Avon, who took on the role in January 2014 but announced his departure from the museum last September.

‘This has not been an easy decision for me to make as I have been immensely proud of all the museum has achieved in the last four years. However, I have been commuting daily from home and have concluded that I just can’t be the person to help the trustees with their ambitions for the next decade of the museum’s life. After four years, it’s time for the M40 and I to have rather less of each other’s company,’ Ludo Keston said in a statement.

The River and Rowing Museum was designed by architect David Chipperfield and opened in 1998. It has more than 114,000 visitors a year.