Natural History Museum experts awarded in the King’s 2024 New Year Honours list

Director of the Museum, Dr Doug Gurr, says, ‘We are delighted to congratulate Neil Greenwood, Brad Irwin and Mark Read as they are awarded for their services to the UK. It is wonderful to see such an array of skills and contributions celebrated in this way, and exemplifies the brilliantly diverse expertise we have here at the Museum. From corporate services to arts and culture, we are striving for a future where people and planet thrive. A huge congratulations to them all!’

Since 1998, Neil Greenwood served as Director of Finance and Executive Director of Finance and Corporate Services at the Museum until his retirement in 2023. Throughout this time, Neil has been instrumental in leading and delivering remarkable change for a rapidly modernising institution, ensuring its continued growth and prosperity.

His extraordinary leadership, particularly during the pandemic, resulted in significant growth in self-generated income which has been monumental in creating greater responsibility and independence for the Museum. Working with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) to ensure high standards and delivering public value, Neil has been an outstanding model of leadership and good practice for his peers in the national museum and wider cultural sector.

Neil says, ‘I feel totally bowled over and honored to receive an MBE. I also feel hugely indebted to all my colleagues. What a fantastic way to sign off 25 years of teaming up at the NHM.’

Brad Irwin is a museum professional with 20 years of experience leading programmes across a rich spectrum of cultural contexts, both in the UK and internationally. As the Museum’s Head of Global Engagement, Brad creates advocates for the planet building innovative partnerships via activities such as touring exhibitions.

An expert in his field, he has a Doctorate in Education from King’s College London which explored the international work of UK national museums. Brad is currently the Ecsite’s annual conference chairperson and in 2021 Blooloop included him as one of their top 50 Museum Influencers.

Brad said, ‘It is such an honour to be awarded an MBE for services to UK art and culture. As a Kiwi living in the UK, it is such a privilege to work at the Museum and to lead its global engagement activities.’

In 2022, Mark Read was appointed to the Museum's Board of Trustees. Mark is CEO of WPP, one of the most world’s biggest advertising agencies. In 2015, he became Global CEO of Wunderman, which he transformed into one of the world's leading creative, data and technology agencies. He was voted the industry's Most Influential Person of 2019 in Econsultancy’s Top 100 Digital Agencies report and in 2021 was awarded Fellow of the IPA status for outstanding services to the industry in the IPA's New Year's Honours.

ENDS

Natural History Media contact: Tel: +44 (0)20 7942 5654 / 07799690151
Email: press@nhm.ac.uk

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About the Natural History Museum:

The Natural History Museum is a world-leading science centre and one of the most visited attractions in the UK. A global source of curiosity, inspiration and joy.

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