British Museum: New director after antiquities theft scandal – Nicholas Callinan takes over in summer

A new director is appointed to the post-disorder with antiquities. Former head of the National Gallery Nicholas Callinan was appointed new director of the British Museum after Hartvig Fisher resigned due to . According to Guardian, Callinan will replace former head of the Victoria & Albert Sir Mark Jones Museum, who had taken over temporary director after Hartvig Fisher resigned. Callinan was approved by the Board of Directors and Prime Minister Risi Sunak and is expected to take office in the summer. He stated: “It is an honor to be the next director of the British Museum. I look forward to joining his wonderful and dedicated staff and working with the extremely impressive Board of Directors to lead it to a new chapter,” he said and continued: “This will include the most important transformations, both architectural and spiritual, from any museum worldwide, to continue the British Museum to be as committed and cooperative as it can be.” Callan has to deal with the effects of the disappearance, theft or destruction of about 1,800 objects in the museum as well as overseeing its renovation. He was appointed director of the National Gallery at Trafalgar Square in April 2015 and supervised there the museum’s three-year renovation and reopening. Callan previously worked at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and Tate Modern in London. George Osborne, president of the British Museum, said Callan “has proven leadership today and great potential for tomorrow”. It is recalled that the British Museum reported in August 2023 that hundreds of items in its collection were stolen or their luck was ignored which led to its director’s “exodus”. Peter Higgs, the curator of the ancient Greek collection and acting debts head of the department of Ancient Greece and Rome, was fired after thefts were revealed. A police investigation has been initiated against him, but he has not been charged. The British Museum filed a lawsuit against him and says he intends to challenge the claim that he was responsible for the thefts.