National Motor Museum Trust appoints new Chief Executive

The National Motor Museum Trust at Beaulieu in the New Forest has appointed Jon Murden as its new chief executive. The Trust is in charge of the National Motor Museum collection of vehicles, as well as the museum buildings and its extensive archives.

Dr Murden was previously Chief Executive of Dorset County Museum in Dorchester and was the driving force behind Dippy the Diplodocus going on tour from the Natural History Museum, marking its first waypoint outside London at the Dorset museum.

Jon is, as you might expect, something of a classic car enthusiast himself but of particular interest to MG Enthusiast readers will be his collection of MG cars, which range from a 1970s Midget to a ZT 180 Sports Auto, along with two ZRs. We caught up with Jon to chat about his appointment and also his ZR 105 Express replica, which you can read about on.

He said: “The National Motor Museum collection is one of the most important and significant collections of vehicles in the UK and is internationally famous, whilst the museum itself has a significant anniversary to celebrate later this year as it turns 50.

“It's very much our focus to reinvigorate the museum, its collections and its image over the coming years, as well as improve access to some of our amazing archive.”

Details of how the museum will be marking its 50th anniversary will be announced in due course.