• de Vos has led the organisation through a period of significant change, including navigating the trust through the pandemic

• His time as chair has seen the phased reopening of Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery and the launch of an ambitious new strategy

• He is succeeded by Stephen Hughes.  

Niels de Vos officially stepped down as chair of Birmingham Museums Trust on Wednesday 25 February, after serving the maximum allowable six-year term.

During his tenure, Niels has led the organisation through a period of significant change, including navigating the trust through the pandemic, reopening Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery after being closed for essential maintenance work and launching an ambitious new five-year strategy.  

He also played a key role in supporting the trust and the English Civic Museums Network in successfully lobbying government for the £20 million Museum Renewal Fund for civic museums.  

Niels has been a tireless advocate for 'levelling up' cultural provision in the region. His appointment to the Museums Association Ethics Committee in 2024 is a reflection of his deep commitment to the role of museums in civic renewal.

He is succeeded by Stephen Hughes, whose appointment as new chair of trustees was announced in October 2025.  

Niels said:

“It has been a great privilege to chair the board of Birmingham Museums Trust for the past six years and to provide leadership for the team through the challenges of the pandemic, champion a bold new strategic vision and support the reopening of Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery. I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved together.”

Zak Mensah and Sara Wajid, co-chief executives of Birmingham Museums Trust, said:

"We are enormously grateful to Niels for his dedication and guidance as chair of the trust. Over the past six years his leadership helped us navigate unprecedented challenges and emerge stronger, more ambitious and more connected to our communities.”