Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport appoints new Chair of National Museums Liverpool (NML)
Sir David Henshaw has been appointed by the Secretary of State as Chair of NML for a term of four years from the 13 February 2017
Born and educated in Liverpool, Sir David went on to obtain a degree in Public Administration and then a Master’s Degree in Social Sciences at the University of Birmingham (INLOGOV).
He has had an extensive career in the public sector with Chief Executive roles at Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council (1989-1999) and Liverpool City Council (1999-2006). During his time at Liverpool he was part of the core team which secured the successful bid to be European Capital of Culture 2008, managed the Council in developing Liverpool One, and saw Liverpool recognised as Council of the year.
He led a major review of Child Support and the Child Support Agency for central government (2006-2007) and was also involved in the Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit Capability Review programme of central government departments.
Sir David has also held a number of senior roles in the NHS. He has held positions as Interim Chair at University Hospitals of Morecombe Bay NHS Foundation Trust (2012-2013), at Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust (2013-2014), at St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (since 2016). Sir David was Chair of the North West Strategic Health Authority (2006-2011) and has been Chair of Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust since 2010, leading the Board in the building of the new hospital. He was knighted in 2004 and is an Honorary Fellow of Liverpool John Moores University, a Fellow of Liverpool University, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and an Honorary Doctor at Sheffield Hallam University.
The NML Chair role is not remunerated. This appointment has been made in accordance with the OCPA Code of Practice. It is a requirement of the Code that political activity by those appointed is declared. Sir David has declared no political activity.