Fashion Museum Bath announces new co-chairs and trustees
Fashion Museum Bath has announced the appointment of two new co-chairs and eight trustees to its foundation board.
It marks the next stage of Bath & North East Somerset Council’s vision to create a new Fashion Museum in the centre of the UNESCO World Heritage City of Bath.
The Fashion Museum Foundation, established in 2024, is an independent charity dedicated to supporting the establishment and long-term sustainability of the new museum.
International broadcaster Sharanjit Leyl and Philippa Simpson, director of buildings and renewal at the Barbican Centre, will co-chair the foundation board.
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.
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.
Louise McCabe: Louise is the former Director of Corporate Responsibility at ASOS PLC.
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.
Simon Randall CBE: Simon is a former solicitor at Winckworth Sherwood following a distinguished career in London local government.
Professor Andy Salmon: Pro-vice Chancellor External at Bath Spa University.
Robert Yentob: Robert is chairman of Dewhurst Dent Plc which owns Dents, the largest fashion glove company in the UK.
The creation of the new Fashion Museum Bath is a flagship project for Bath and North East Somerset Council. This cultural investment aims to “foster sustainable communities, enhance health and wellbeing, and stimulate economic growth”.
The council says the new museum will play a pivotal role in regenerating Bath by attracting more visitors to the city and encouraging them to extend their stay.
Cllr Paul Roper 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.”
The appointment of the co-chairs and trustees follows the selection of 6a architects who will preserve and transform Bath’s Grade II listed Old Post Office into a state-of-the-art 21st-century cultural institution housing museum galleries, learning spaces, shops, residential and a destination cafe. The new museum is anticipated to open in Winter 2030.
