David Ross has been reappointed as Chair of the National Portrait Gallery
The Secretary of State has reappointed David Ross for a term of four years from 7 October 2021 to 6 October 2025.
David Ross is a UK based entrepreneur and philanthropist best known for co-founding The Carphone Warehouse Group plc in 1991. David’s philanthropic work is carried out through the Ross Foundation, which he founded. He has a keen interest in British contemporary art and is a passionate supporter of projects that work towards providing greater access to the arts for all.
The Ross Foundation makes charitable donations to a number of educational, community and cultural organisations, supporting projects across a range of artistic fields, and is the major sponsor of the Nevill Holt Opera. In addition to his business and cultural interests, David is a committed supporter of education, and set up the David Ross Education Trust (DRET), which has over 30 academies across Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire.
Trustees of the National Portrait Gallery are not remunerated. This reappointment has been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments. The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. David Ross has declared that he has made recordable donations to the Conservative Party - details of which can be obtained from the Electoral Commission website.
Following his re-appointment, the Trustees of the National Portrait Gallery re-elected David Ross as Chair of the Board as per the Museums and Galleries Act 1992.