The British Museum has named Sir Mark Jones, a former director of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, as its new interim director.
Sir Mark will replace Hartwig Fischer, who quit after thousands of items from the museum’s collection were revealed to have been stolen last month.
George Osborne, the museum’s chairman, described Sir Mark as “one of the most experienced and respected museum leaders in the world” who will “offer the leadership and grip needed right now”.
He added that the art historian had the “unanimous approval” of the museum’s trustees.
The museum was embroiled in scandal after it emerged that a senior curator, who had worked at the museum for 30 years, was sacked earlier this year over the stolen objects.
Peter Higgs was accused by museum directors of taking the items, worth tens of millions of pounds, and selling them online.
Sir Mark served as director of the Victoria and Albert Museum in 2001 for 10 years, where he is credited with reviving the museum’s reputation and overseeing a £120 million ($151 million) renovation programme. Sir Mark was knighted in the 2010 honours list for services to arts.
While at the V&A, he famously advocated for Britain and Greece to share the Elgin Marbles, sculptures from the Parthenon which were taken to the British Museum in the 19th century by Lord Elgin.
Greece does not recognise Britain’s ownership of the sculptures and successive governments have long called for their return.
“There must be a possibility that something could now work for all parties,” Sir Mark told The Observer in 2002. “It is not necessarily a case of transferred ownership or of giving the marbles back for good, but when people believe things are really important, as the Greeks and the British Museum do in this case, that is actually a good thing.”
Mr Osborne has been holding negotiations with Greece over the sculptures, and this had been a point of disagreement between the chairman and former director Mr Fischer, according to The Times.
Sir Mark began his career at the British Museum in 1974, where he became Keeper of Coins and Medals before leaving in 1992.
He went on to direct the National Museums of Scotland, where he opened the Museum of Scotland in 1998, and oversaw the creation of the National War Museum of Scotland and the Museum of Scottish Country Life.
Sources told The Times that Sir Mark was “the only plausible candidate” for the role after Mr Fischer’s resignation. The possibility of bringing back Neil McGregor, Mr Fischer’s predecessor, was raised, but dropped as thefts are believed to also have taken place under his tenure.
Sir Mark faces multiple challenges with the new appointment, until a new museum director is appointed.
“We are both clear that his priorities are to accelerate the cataloguing of the collection, improve security, and reinforce pride in the curatorial mission of the museum,” Mr Osborne said in a statement on Saturday.
“This sits alongside the major renovation work we're undertaking, and the partnerships we're forging, to ensure that we build a stronger future for the museum we all love and admire.
“I promised we would learn lessons and then lay the foundations for a strong future. Mark's appointment is a big step in that direction. I look forward to working together.”
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UAE%20medallists%20at%20Asian%20Games%202023
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Swiss fly direct from the UAE to Zurich from Dh2,855 return, including taxes.
The chalet
Chalet N is currently open in winter only, between now and April 21. During the ski season, starting on December 11, a week’s rental costs from €210,000 (Dh898,431) per week for the whole property, which has 22 beds in total, across six suites, three double rooms and a children’s suite. The price includes all scheduled meals, a week’s ski pass, Wi-Fi, parking, transfers between Munich, Innsbruck or Zurich airports and one 50-minute massage per person. Private ski lessons cost from €360 (Dh1,541) per day. Halal food is available on request.
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
KEY%20DATES%20IN%20AMAZON'S%20HISTORY
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Quick facts on cancer
- Cancer is the second-leading cause of death worldwide, after cardiovascular diseases
- About one in five men and one in six women will develop cancer in their lifetime
- By 2040, global cancer cases are on track to reach 30 million
- 70 per cent of cancer deaths occur in low and middle-income countries
- This rate is expected to increase to 75 per cent by 2030
- At least one third of common cancers are preventable
- Genetic mutations play a role in 5 per cent to 10 per cent of cancers
- Up to 3.7 million lives could be saved annually by implementing the right health
strategies
- The total annual economic cost of cancer is $1.16 trillion
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