Theft scandal discovered in a British museum

The British Museum made headlines as it announced that Nicholas Cullinan, aged 46, as its incoming director, succeeding Hartwig Fischer, who stepped down after a string of theft incidents at the institution took place.

Cullinan, previously serving as director of the National Portrait Gallery since April 2015, expressed his honor in leading one of the world’s most important museums. With a background as an art historian and curator at esteemed places such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Tate Modern in London, Cullinan brings a lot of experience with him to his new role.

Fischer’s resignation in August last year came in the wake of the discovery of many missing, stolen, or damaged artifacts from the British museum’s collection. During his absence, Mark Jones has taken up temporary management duties, as the museum gears up for large redevelopment.

George Osborne, the museum’s president, highlighted Cullinan’s exceptional leadership qualities and successful oversight of the recent renovation at the National Portrait Gallery as key factors in his appointment.

Established in 1753, the British Museum stands as one of the world’s most renowned cultural institutions, having a large collection of around eight million artifacts. However, like many Western museums, it has faced mounting pressure in recent years to address the restitution of items acquired during the era of the British Empire, notably the Greek Parthenon marbles.

Following last year’s revelations, which prompted a police inquiry and the dismissal of a staff member, the appointment of Nicholas Cullinan signifies a pivotal moment as the museum seeks to address its challenges and move forward under new leadership.