By Harry Mottram: Key figures have been appointed for the closed down Fashion Museum Bath as co-chairs and trustees are named by Bath & North East Somerset Council for the charity The Fashion Museum Foundation. The independent charity’s job is to support the reopening of the museum together with its long term future when it is scheduled to reopen at Christmas 2030 in the Old Post Office near Central Library on the corner of New Bond Street.
Closed in 2019 when the National Trust ended the lease at the Assembly Rooms meaning the collection had to go into storage in Warminster while a new location for the museum was prepared. Opened as the Museum of Costume in 1963 the collection was initially that of Doris Langley Moore who donated the clothing that dates from the late 16th century to the city. Considerable amount of work is required to make the Old Post Office ready for the collection which features items sensitive to humidity, light and temperature due to their fragility.
While work continues to update the new home of the Fashion Museum – its name since 2007 – the charity charged with overseeing the work and ensuring the museum will become a huge hit with visitors are two new co-chairs in broadcaster Sharanjit Leyl and Philippa Simpson, Director of Buildings and Renewal at the Barbican Centre.
Sharanjit Leyl is a leading broadcaster and journalist with a 25-year career in news reporting. She spent eighteen years with the BBC’s global television news channel, covering business and politics, presenting from its Asia bureau and from London’s Broadcasting House. She has also presented from Asia for Bloomberg and CBC and now regularly moderates high-level debates for the United Nations, the ADB and other multilateral institutions.
In May 2024, Sharanjit made history as the first Singaporean Chancellor of a British University at Bath Spa University.
Of her appointment Sharanjit Leyl comments: “I’m thrilled to be the co-chair for the Board of Trustees for Fashion Museum Bath, an institution that will be a star attraction in our city and across the South West. With its world-leading collection, it will draw countless visitors locally and from around the world.
As Chancellor of Bath Spa University, I welcome the museum’s role in educating on fashion history and the global textile trade. The Museum’s partnership with Bath Spa University and the Centre for Fashion and Sustainability will nurture the next generation of fashion talent. Having interviewed the heads of top fashion brands, I look forward to forging new partnerships and having a world-class museum in the South West that celebrates this extraordinary industry”.
Philippa Simpson is Director of Buildings and Renewal at the Barbican Centre where she is leading on the restoration and revitalisation of the iconic, Brutalist Grade II listed buildings through the Barbican Renewal Programme. She also oversees the daily operations and maintenance of the site.
Prior to joining the Barbican, Philippa was Director of Design, Estate, and Public Programme at the Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A). Previously a curator at Tate before moving to Royal Museums Greenwich, she has extensive experience of managing transformative projects including, most recently, the Young V&A in Bethnal Green. She also sits as a Trustee on the board of Regents Park Open Air Theatre.
Philippa Simpson says: “I’m so thrilled to be joining the board of Fashion Museum Bath at this pivotal moment in its history. The plans to amplify its wonderful work, bring the collection to life and welcome new visitors – both to the museum and the city – are truly transformational. It’s a privilege to be involved.”
NEW TRUSTEES
The co-chairs are supported by eight trustees who each bring expertise which support the ambitions of Fashion Museum Bath:
Sophie Broadfield: Executive Director of Sustainable Communities at Bath & North East Somerset Council, Sophie oversees council policies for improving places, addressing inequality and supporting the delivery of net zero.
Fiona Gourley: Fiona is an elected Liberal Democrat Councillor in Bath and a former fundraiser who has raised millions of pounds for cultural and education projects for major national organisations.
Martin Haigh: Chair of Film Bath and Sales Director at Total Ticketing, Martin previously worked in Hong Kong and was pivotal in Asia event ticketing, working for Clockenflap Presents as well as for the world’s largest promoter, Live Nation, as Head of Ticketmaster Asia. A former stockbroker, he headed up trading teams in Asia and South America, dealing with some of the world’s largest brokers, including Banco Santander and Merril Lynch.
Louise McCabe: Louise is the former Director of Corporate Responsibility at ASOS PLC, where she developed and led the company’s Fashion with Integrity strategy. Louise now co-leads Flourish CSR, an award-winning agency specialising in responsible business practices, offering strategic ESG services to retailers, fashion brands, manufacturers, e-commerce platforms, and global NGO partnerships.
Rosa Park: Recognised for her contributions to art and publishing, Rosa is the founder of Francis Gallery in Bath and Los Angeles and co-founder of Cereal Magazine. She started her career in beauty and fashion marketing before establishing Cereal in 2012 with photographer Rich Stapleton. She is currently an art advisor and creative consultant.
Simon Randall CBE: Simon is aformersolicitor at Winckworth Sherwood following a distinguished career in London local government. Previous Chairman of the London Boroughs Association Housing and Social Services Committee and appointed a CBE in 1991 for work in these areas.
Professor Andy Salmon: Pro-vice Chancellor External at Bath Spa University, Andy is working on the UK’s first fully integrated National Centre for Fashion and Sustainability in partnership with Fashion Museum Bath.
Robert Yentob: Robert is Chairman of Dewhurst Dent Plc which owns Dents, the largest fashion glove company in the UK, which has its own historic glove collection. He is non-executive director of several companies and a Trustee of several charities.
Councillor Paul Roper, Cabinet Member for Economic & Cultural Sustainable Development, said: “The creation of our new Fashion Museum is of national and international significance. This world-class institution, located in a UNESCO World Heritage City, will provide a deserving home for our unique and outstanding fashion collection. The new museum is a cornerstone of our plan to develop a creative hub in central Bath, significantly boosting the visitor economy and fostering the growth of creative industries. As a key element of the Milsom Quarter Masterplan, the museum will enhance footfall and dwell time, increase the desirability of the city centre, and serve as a catalyst for the expansion of creative enterprises. Appointing the new co-chairs and trustees to the Fashion Museum Foundation is a crucial step in realising the Fashion Museum, and I look forward to their support in achieving the museum’s vision”.
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