The Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) has announced that its new Chief Executive is to be Roy Clare CBE. Roy was previously Director of the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich from 2000 to 2007.

At Greenwich Roy Clare was credited with increasing the tempo of the museum, building new audiences and creating wider partnerships (including instigating the ‘Sea Britain 2005’ initiative to commemorate the bicentennial of Nelson’s victory at Trafalgar). He shaped the £16m project to modernise services and facilities at the Royal Observatory and oversaw a succession of successful exhibitions and programmes in the National Maritime Museums and Queens House.

Formerly a Rear Admiral in the Royal Navy he commanded the Aircraft Carrier Invincible and the Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth. For ten years he was the trustee of the historic vessel Bronington and he created the Britannia Museum of Officer training in Dartmouth. He is a Board member of the Creative and Cultural Skills Council (the council for the cultural heritage sector) and he has also lectured in the sector including on behalf of the Clore Leadership Foundation.

He was awarded the CBE for services to museums in June 2007.

Mark Wood, Chairman of MLA, said: “It is great news for the MLA and the whole cultural sector to have someone of Roy’s calibre; experience and energy take over the leadership of the organisation. Roy has a very clear vision of what the MLA can and should achieve and he will ensure it makes a reverberating impact in the years ahead.

Roy Clare said: “The professional staff and volunteers in museums, galleries, libraries and archives across Britain are privileged to serve people of all ages, regardless of background and culture. The MLA Council and its nine English partners together with international, national and local agencies has a challenging opportunity to cater for diverse audiences and users; to set and improve professional standards; identify and structure the use of new technologies and methods; build up the capacities of the loyal and creative workforce and seek efficiencies in line with government policies.

This is a tough agenda at the heart of learning for all, sharpened by the forthcoming 2012 Cultural Olympiad and I am greatly looking forward to working on behalf of the MLA Board and the staff in the MLA Council to help achieve this transformation for the sector as a whole”

Roy takes up his post in September, replacing Chris Batt OBE, who is retiring after four years as Chief Executive.

Mark Wood paid tribute to Chris’s role at the MLA. “Chris forged the MLA into a coherent and effective organisation which has implemented some remarkably successful programmes such as the Renaissance investment in regional museums. His legacy is a dynamic and focussed organisation.”.