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Alex Patterson to Lead Exciting New Chapter at Brooklands Museum
19th October 2023
After nearly six years of energetic and transformational leadership Tamalie Newbery has decided to step down as Director and CEO. Brooklands Museum is delighted to announce the appointment of Alex Patterson as its new Director and CEO. It marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Brooklands Museum, following its immense success and growth under the leadership of Tamalie Newbery.
Alex Patterson and Tamalie Newbery with the Napier-Railton, the fastest car ever around the Brooklands Track.
During Newbery’s time at Brooklands Museum it was a finalist for Museum of the Year, was the subject of two television series on UKTV, formed new partnerships that expanded its educational remit through Heritage Skills Academy’s apprenticeship programme and Brooklands Innovation Academy, working with Professor Brian Cox, Lord Andrew Mawson, businesses, schools and the NHS to inspire hundreds of young people to consider careers in science and engineering. She steered Brooklands through extreme challenges of Covid, raising over £3.5m during her time at the Museum and establishing the Museum with a sound footing for the future through increased revenues, and clarity about the importance of Brooklands’ history of innovation and human endeavour as an inspiration to future generations.
Patterson’s appointment followed a thorough recruitment process that resulted in universal endorsement from the Board of Trustees. He takes the reins at an opportune time, with a comprehensive succession plan in place and preparations commencing for the next stage of Pioneering Tomorrow, the master plan development of the site, launching next year.
Patterson comes from an extensive background in independent museums and has worked with national institutions, including Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust, the National Museum of the Royal Navy, the Royal Academy of Arts and the Society of Antiquaries of London. He first joined Brooklands Museum in June 2018 as Director of Collections, Interpretation & Heritage. Since then, Patterson has been a core part of the senior leadership team, helping to deliver a revitalised learning programme, extensive refurbishment projects, and the highly regarded Brooklands Innovation Academy.
Alex Patterson, Director and CEO, Brooklands Museum, said: “I am immensely honoured to be taking up the role of Director and CEO of Brooklands Museum. These past five years, working alongside Tamalie, have given me immense insight into the power and significance of this place. I am eager to work with the Board, funders, and stakeholders to build upon the work we have already done and lead Brooklands Museum into an exciting new chapter, inspiring visitors today with the brilliant successes and innovations of Britain’s past.”
Tamalie Newbery, former Director and CEO, Brooklands Museum, said: “I have loved my time at Brooklands Museum. It has been a joy and a privilege to work with so many passionate people and to have played a part in bringing the significance of what happened here to wider notice. Having achieved what I, and the Board of Trustees, set out to achieve, now is the logical time to make space for new leadership and hand over to Alex, he is exactly the right person to lead Brooklands Museum to the next level; am looking forward to seeing the realisation of his vision.”
Sir Gerald Acher, Chairman of the Board, Brooklands Museum, said: “The board of Trustees unanimously endorsed Alex Patterson to step up and lead Brooklands Museum at a very exciting time. I am personally delighted that Alex has agreed to take on the role of Director and CEO. An immense thank you to Tamalie for her six-year stint at the helm, guiding Brooklands Museum through some of its most challenging times and towards many of its most exciting opportunities. She has left Brooklands Museum in excellent shape, and we are excited to work with Alex in this new era of Britain’s historic heart of innovation, Brooklands Museum.”
