George Osborne appointed as new British Museum chairman

George Osborne has been chosen as the new chairman of the British Museum.

The former Chancellor was sought out and shortlisted for the role by a committee of eight trustees at the museum, five of whom were appointed by ex-Prime Minister David Cameron.

His appointment was announced on Thursday after being signed off unanimously by the British Museum's 19-strong board, which comprises eight appointees signed off by his former government colleague Mr Cameron.

The new role for Mr Osborne, who was once known as "nine jobs" for his many post-politics positions, will take his total of current posts to four.

The former MP for Tatton said: "I am absolutely thrilled to be joining the team at the British Museum, and so honoured to have had the opportunity to apply for this role and to have been chosen by the trustees to become their chairman. All my life I have loved the British Museum. To my mind, it is quite simply the greatest museum in the world."

Mr Osborne will succeed the businessman Sir Richard Lambert in the role, joining a board including the historian and BBC presenter Dame Mary Beard.

The trustees appointed by Mr Cameron are Clarissa Farr, Elizabeth Corley, Muriel Gray, Sir Paul Ruddock, Baroness Minouche Shafik, Patricia Cumper, Sir Deryck Maughan and Lord Sassoon.

Five of them – Baroness Shafik, Lord Sassoon, Ms Gray, Ms Farr and Ms Corley – served on the eight-strong search committee tasked with finding a suitable new museum chairman.

Baroness Shafik, the deputy chair of the museum, said Mr Osborne would offer "extensive national and international networks and experience with finance and fundraising on a global scale".

He will continue in his positions with the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, 9Yards Capital and investment bank Robey Warshaw while managing the unpaid British Museum role in his own time.

Hartwig Fische, the director of the British Museum, said he looked forward to "working with George to continue to ensure that the British Museum is the most innovative, accessible and inspiring museum of the world".

But Culture Unstained, a campaign group opposing fossil fuel sponsorship at the museum, is among several similar organisations opposed to the appointment.

Co-director Jess Worth said: "George Osborne is a completely unsuitable choice of chair. His priorities on both culture and climate are clear. The museum's trustees should rethink their decision."