Sir Jony Ive, renowned former Chief Design Officer at Apple, has been appointed as a trustee of the British Museum, joining the institution’s governing board as part of its ongoing efforts to integrate cutting-edge design and technology into its future development plans.
Ive’s appointment comes through one of the five positions selected by existing trustees. The British Museum’s board allows for up to 25 trustees, including 15 appointed by the prime minister, one by the Crown, four by relevant industry bodies, and five chosen internally by the board.
Other prominent trustees include artist Tracey Emin, business figure George Weston—whose family once owned Selfridges—and television presenter Claudia Winkleman.
George Osborne, Chair of the British Museum’s board of trustees, hailed the appointment, emphasizing Ive’s impact on contemporary design and innovation. “There is no one on Earth better equipped to help the British Museum bring great design and the latest technology together to transform its galleries,” Osborne said. “We’re incredibly fortunate to have one of the founders of the modern age join our board. Ive fuses design and technology in a way that has changed our world — and with his work at the frontier of AI, continues to do so.”
Ive, who recently entered a $6.5 billion partnership with OpenAI to develop physical products, expressed a longstanding admiration for the museum. “I have adored the museum since I first visited as a child over 50 years ago. It is a remarkable and singular institution that ultimately fosters curiosity and understanding across cultures and time,” he said.
Highlighting his appreciation for history and design, Ive added, “Like most designers, I am a keen historian, and the British Museum is a masterpiece of public cultural experience. I am thrilled to be working with such a wonderful team, and look forward to supporting the museum’s appropriately ambitious masterplan for transformation.”
Ive’s appointment signals the museum’s commitment to blending tradition with innovation as it embarks on a significant phase of modernization.
