20 April 2010
Top business leader to head up V&A at Dundee
The V&A at Dundee, the project to develop an international centre of 21st century design at the heart of Dundee’s waterfront, has been boosted by the appointment of a leading business figure to chair its board.
Lesley Knox, Chairman of Alliance Trust plc, will also now chair the board of Design Dundee Ltd, the newly-formed company which has been established to drive the project forward.
She has chaired Alliance Trust plc since 2004 and has also held a number of senior executive and non-executive positions with other organisations. She was a Governor of the Museum of London for nine years, during which time the Museum carried out two major building projects.
“I am delighted to have become the Chair of Design Dundee Ltd,” said Lesley Knox. “This scheme combines the excitement of a world class centre for design in Scotland with the creation of a landmark building on the Tay and will transform Dundee’s waterfront.”
The appointment has been welcomed by the Scottish Government, which has already expressed its firm support for the project.
Culture Minister Fiona Hyslop said, “The V&A at Dundee will boost the city’s - and Scotland’s - reputation as a thriving centre for the creative industries.
“The Scottish Government has put on record its strong support for this exciting project, so I am pleased to see key steps being taken to progress the project.
“It is vital that the V&A at Dundee is founded upon a robust business plan which maximises benefits for local communities, and with her background and experience Lesley Knox should be well-placed to lead the project as it seeks to develop this.”
Professor Pete Downes, Principal and Vice Chancellor of the University of Dundee and chair of the steering group which has taken the V&A at Dundee to this stage, said, “I am delighted that we have attracted such a prominent business person to help bring this ambitious project to fruition.
“Lesley Knox has a wealth of experience that will be invaluable in helping us meet the many challenges that lie ahead. The project partners have done an excellent job in getting to this stage but this appointment will greatly strengthen the skills and know-how of the Board as we strive to deliver a project that will offer a major boost to Dundee and Scotland.”
V&A at Dundee is an exciting, inspiring and dynamic project which will attract visitors from around the world, be a unique resource for the creative industries and re-position Dundee as a centre for international creative practice.
It will be based in a stunning new landmark building on Dundee’s waterfront. An international design competition is underway to ensure that a building of the highest quality is created. The building will open in 2014 but will be preceded by an exciting programme of outreach activities in Dundee from 2011.
The founding members of Design Dundee Ltd are the Victoria and Albert Museum - the world’s number one museum of art and design - and the University of Dundee, the University of Abertay Dundee, Dundee City Council and Scottish Enterprise.
For media enquiries contact:
Roddy Isles
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University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
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E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk
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