Ian Blatchford
Ian Blatchford | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 17, 1965 |
| Occupation | Museum director |
| Years active | 1996–present |
| Known for | Director of the Science Museum Group |
Sir Ian Craig Blatchford, FSA (born 17 August 1965), serves as the director of the Science Museum Group, responsible for managing the Science Museum along with its affiliated organizations. Prior to this, he held the position of deputy director at the Victoria and Albert Museum located in South Kensington, London.
Blatchford completed his law studies at Mansfield College, Oxford and earned a master's degree in Renaissance studies from Birkbeck, University of London. His professional journey began with roles at the Bank of England and merchant banking firm Barclays de Zoete Wedd. He later took on the role of deputy finance director at the Arts Council of Great Britain. Following a stint as financial controller at Cricket Communications, he joined the Royal Academy of Arts in 1996 as finance director.
In April 2002, Blatchford assumed the role of director of finance and resources at the Victoria and Albert Museum and was promoted to deputy director in 2004. He took up the directorship of the National Museum of Science and Industry in October 2010.
He holds fellowships with both the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants and the Society of Antiquaries of London. Additionally, Blatchford has served as chairman of governors at De Montfort University. In recognition of his contributions to cultural education, he was knighted in the 2019 New Year Honours.
In 2015, Blatchford was awarded the Russian Pushkin Medal by Vladimir Putin; however, he returned this honor in March 2022 in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.