The British Museum has appointed three distinguished individuals as Trustees for a four-year term, enhancing its leadership in arts, culture, and heritage. The new trustees, Alison Jones, Erdem Moralioglu MBE, and Meneesha Kellay, bring a wealth of expertise spanning law, fashion, curation, and cultural advocacy. Their appointments reflect a commitment to supporting the museum’s mission to make arts and culture accessible while fostering innovation and community engagement.

Alison Jones: Legal Expertise and Arts Advocacy

Alison Jones, born and raised in Liverpool, is a prominent lawyer in the charity and not-for-profit sector. She holds a first-class honours degree in law from the University of Manchester and a distinction in the Legal Practice Course from BPP Law School. Alison’s professional journey includes tenure at globally recognized law firms such as Hill Dickinson LLP, Womble Bond Dickinson LLP, and Slaughter and May, as well as the multinational technology company Sage. She currently leads the arts, culture, and heritage practice at Muckle LLP.

Alison has actively contributed to shaping regulatory guidance through various working parties of the Charity Law Association. Her governance experience includes serving on boards such as Newcastle Theatre Royal and participating in the Charity Commission’s panel of interim managers. A passionate advocate for accessible arts and culture, Alison is committed to advancing initiatives that ensure cultural engagement is inclusive for all communities. Her appointment as Trustee will support the museum’s continued focus on legal and organizational excellence, safeguarding charitable and cultural priorities.

Erdem Moralioglu MBE: Fashion, Creativity, and Cultural Innovation

Erdem Moralioglu MBE, born in Montreal to a Turkish father and British mother, is a renowned fashion designer and founder of the celebrated British fashion house ERDEM. He graduated with an M.A. from the Royal College of Art, London in 2003 and launched his first womenswear collection in 2005. ERDEM quickly gained international recognition for its poetic and modern approach to femininity. The brand has received numerous accolades, including the 2010 British Fashion Council/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund Award and the 2014 BFC Womenswear Designer of the Year Award. Its flagship store opened in Mayfair in 2015, and Erdem was honoured with an MBE in 2020 for his contributions to fashion.

Erdem’s work frequently intersects with historical and culturally significant locations. His collections have been presented at the British Museum, National Portrait Gallery, Sadler’s Wells, White Cube, and the V&A Museum. In 2024, he launched Imaginary Conversations at Chatsworth, exploring the creative process behind his Spring Summer 24 collection. Pieces from his collections have also been exhibited internationally, including at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, Palais Galliera in Paris, the Louvre, and London’s V&A Museum. His experience will bring valuable insights into how museums can intersect with contemporary fashion, design, and creative industries, broadening the museum’s engagement with innovative cultural practices.

Meneesha Kellay: Curation, Design, and Performance Expertise

Meneesha Kellay is an accomplished curator and cultural leader with extensive experience across art, architecture, design, and performance. She currently serves as a Senior Curator and is the Lead Curator of an upcoming major exhibition at the V&A Museum. Meneesha’s curatorial practice focuses on fostering emerging and experimental work through commissions, exhibitions, installations, and live programs. Her appointment as Trustee will contribute expertise in curatorial strategy, program development, and contemporary artistic practices, ensuring the British Museum continues to innovate while maintaining high standards of artistic excellence and audience engagement.

Strengthening the British Museum’s Leadership

The appointments of Alison Jones, Erdem Moralioglu, and Meneesha Kellay enhance the British Museum’s governance by combining legal expertise, creative vision, and curatorial experience. Together, they provide a diverse skill set to guide the museum through evolving challenges in cultural preservation, public engagement, and innovation in the arts sector. Their combined expertise supports the museum’s ongoing mission to deliver accessible, high-quality cultural experiences, while nurturing creative initiatives that resonate locally, nationally, and internationally.

With Alison’s experience in charity law and nonprofit governance, Erdem’s leadership in fashion and creative industries, and Meneesha’s deep knowledge of curation and live programming, the trustees will help ensure that the British Museum continues to inspire audiences while supporting community engagement and cultural development.