City attraction undergoing £4m redevelopment appoints new chairman

Thackray Medical Museum, in Leeds, has announced a new chairman of the Board ahead of its big reopening next summer after a £4m capital redevelopment.

The role at the museum, which is due to re-open with completely new galleries and a major rebrand, has gone to Neil Kaiper-Holmes, a former GP and manager director to a range of healthcare comms businesses.

His appointment comes after previous chairman, Keith Ramsay, steps down after six years on the Board.

Ramsay has been instrumental in progressing the museum’s redevelopment from the idea and planning stages, through to securing a major grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, and ensuring the project is on track for completion in summer 2020.

Kaiper-Holmes has also acted as a chairman to the Leeds Rhinos Foundation since 2011 and has strong links with Leeds and the community.

He said: “I am excited to be starting my role as chairman of the Board at Thackray Medical Museum. Their mission to inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals while igniting curiosity for all visitors through fascinating exhibitions and programmes is something I am passionate about.

“Having worked in the sector for many years combined with my experience chairing Leeds Rhinos Foundation, means I have witnessed first-hand the impact organisations such as Thackray can have on children and the wider community.

“I look forward to being a part of the further waves of positive change the museum is set to make at both a local and national level.”

He will join the museum on 25 November.

The Thackray Medical Museum first opened in March 1997, supported by a Heritage Lottery Found (HLF) grant of £3m. The museum’s Grade II listed building is home to over 70,000 medical objects and books.