The group commissioned last year by City of York Council to establish a trust to run the city's museums and art gallery has appointed Janet Barnes as its first Chief Executive.

Ms Barnes has been director of the Crafts Council since 1999 and before that she worked in the Museums and Galleries service of Sheffield City Council. During her time in Sheffield she oversaw the transfer of control of the city's museums from the local authority to the new Sheffield Galleries and Museums Trust.

The new trust in York takes over responsibility for the city's Castle and Yorkshire museums and York City Art Gallery on July 1.

Until then Ms Barnes will help the trust initiation group prepare for the handover. She will take up her post full-time on release from the Crafts Council in July.

Robin Guthrie, who chairs the initiation group and will chair the new trust, welcomed the appointment. He said, "Preparations for the new Trust are well advanced and this appointment is timely.

"Janet Barnes brings to the job exactly what we need in terms of experience and skills at regional and national levels. Her work in Sheffield in helping to establish there the independent trust that now runs the museums and galleries is particularly relevant. I feel very optimistic for the future."

Janet Barnes said, "I am absolutely delighted to be taking up the position of chief executive and am looking forward to working with my new colleagues."

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