Fashion Museum Bath Announces New Co-Chairs and Trustees

News
We are thrilled to announce the appointment of two co-chairs and eight trustees to the Fashion Museum Foundation.
Sharanjit Leyl and Philippa Simpson, Co-chairs of the Fashion Museum Foundation
Sharanjit Leyl and Philippa Simpson, co-chairs of the Fashion Museum Foundation

 

Fashion Museum Bath has today announced the appointment of two new co-chairs and eight trustees to its foundation board. This marks an exciting new chapter in 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.

The Foundation will play a crucial role in delivering the museum’s ambitions to be an exemplar of environmental sustainability, driving socio-economic change and placemaking, supporting disadvantaged communities across the region, and providing a welcoming, accessible space for all. It will promote the museum's world-class collection globally, build meaningful relationships with the fashion industry, educators, and key stakeholders, and support with fundraising and advocacy efforts to ensure the museum’s successful reopening. 

NEW CO-CHAIRS

Renowned international broadcaster Sharanjit Leyl and Philippa Simpson, Director of Buildings and Renewal at the Barbican Centre, will co-chair the foundation board: 

Sharanjit Leyl is a leading broadcaster and journalist with a 25-year career in news reporting. She spent eighteen years with the BBC’s global television news channel, covering business and politics, presenting from its Asia bureau and from London's Broadcasting House. She has also presented from Asia for Bloomberg and CBC and now regularly moderates high-level debates for the United Nations, the ADB and other multilateral institutions.

In May 2024, Sharanjit made history as the first Singaporean Chancellor of a British University at Bath Spa University. 

Of her appointment Sharanjit Leyl comments:

“I’m thrilled to be the co-chair for the Board of Trustees for Fashion Museum Bath, an institution that will be a star attraction in our city and across the South West. With its world-leading collection, it will draw countless visitors locally and from around the world. 

As Chancellor of Bath Spa University, I welcome the museum’s role in educating on fashion history and the global textile trade. The Museum’s partnership with Bath Spa University and the Centre for Fashion and Sustainability will nurture the next generation of fashion talent. Having interviewed the heads of top fashion brands, I look forward to forging new partnerships and having a world-class museum in the South West that celebrates this extraordinary industry”.

Philippa Simpson is Director of Buildings and Renewal at the Barbican Centre where she is leading on the restoration and revitalisation of the iconic, Brutalist Grade II listed buildings through the Barbican Renewal Programme. She also oversees the daily operations and maintenance of the site.

Prior to joining the Barbican, Philippa was Director of Design, Estate, and Public Programme at the Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A). Previously a curator at Tate before moving to Royal Museums Greenwich, she has extensive experience of managing transformative projects including, most recently, the Young V&A in Bethnal Green. She also sits as a Trustee on the board of Regents Park Open Air Theatre.

Philippa Simpson says:

“I’m so thrilled to be joining the board of Fashion Museum Bath at this pivotal moment in its history. The plans to amplify its wonderful work, bring the collection to life and welcome new visitors - both to the museum and the city - are truly transformational. It’s a privilege to be involved.”

NEW TRUSTEES

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, Sophie oversees council policies for improving places, addressing inequality and supporting the delivery of net zero.

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, Martin previously worked in Hong Kong and was pivotal in Asia event ticketing, working for Clockenflap Presents as well as for the world’s largest promoter, Live Nation, as Head of Ticketmaster Asia.  A former stockbroker, he headed up trading teams in Asia and South America, dealing with some of the world’s largest brokers, including Banco Santander and Merril Lynch.

Louise McCabe: Louise is the former Director of Corporate Responsibility at ASOS PLC, where she developed and led the company's Fashion with Integrity strategy. Louise now co-leads Flourish CSR, an award-winning agency specialising in responsible business practices, offering strategic ESG services to retailers, fashion brands, manufacturers, e-commerce platforms, and global NGO partnerships.

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. She started her career in beauty and fashion marketing before establishing Cereal in 2012 with photographer Rich Stapleton. She is currently an art advisor and creative consultant.

Simon Randall CBE: Simon is a former solicitor at Winckworth Sherwood following a distinguished career in London local government. Previous Chairman of the London Boroughs Association Housing and Social Services Committee and appointed a CBE in 1991 for work in these areas.

Professor Andy Salmon: Pro-vice Chancellor External at Bath Spa University, Andy is working on the UK's first fully integrated National Centre for Fashion and Sustainability in partnership with Fashion Museum Bath.

Robert Yentob: Robert is Chairman of Dewhurst Dent Plc which owns Dents, the largest fashion glove company in the UK, which has its own historic glove collection. He is non-executive director of several companies and a Trustee of several charities. 

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 new museum will play a pivotal role in regenerating Bath by attracting more visitors to the city and encouraging them to extend their stay.

Councillor Paul Roper, Cabinet Member for Economic & Cultural Sustainable Development, 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.