British Museum appoints new director after alleged thefts scandal | British Museum

The British Museum has appointed the National Portrait Gallery head Nicholas Cullinan as its new director, after it emerged last year that hundreds of objects had been allegedly stolen from the museum’s collection.

He replaces the interim director Sir Mark Jones, the former head of the Victoria and Albert Museum, who stood in for former director Hartwig Fischer. Fischer resigned last year over the scandal.

Cullinan, whose appointment was approved by the board of trustees and Rishi Sunak, will take over the role from Jones in the summer.

Cullinan said: “One of the greatest museums in the…