Richard Doughty, director of the National Maritime Museum Cornwall (NMMC) in Falmouth, will retire at the end of June 2026, after a career spanning five decades.
He has led the museum since June 2014.
Dr Patrick Newberry, Chair of the NMMC Board, said: “I want to thank Richard for his unfailing commitment to the museum and incredible hard work, particularly during recent difficult times for the tourism sector, and for setting such a good, buoyant course.
“His inspirational leadership has raised the museum’s profile, reached new audiences, and has given Cornwall a centre of maritime scholarship of which it can be proud.”
Richard previously served as director of the Cutty Sark Trust, where he led the conservation project that preserved the historic London vessel.
During his time at the NMMC, he helped establish the museum as the most visited in Cornwall and a key part of the local economy.
He said: “Despite having the word ‘national’ in our title, everything we do has been achieved without any central or local government revenue funding.
“Our museum has mounted a raft of major temporary exhibitions of national quality, launched critically acclaimed cross-arts programming, delivered hands-on activities for children, and established an award-winning learning programme.
“The museum’s dedicated team of volunteers gave over 20,000 hours of their time to us in 2025 and I’m deeply grateful to them and our remarkable team of staff who work tirelessly to ensure we provide a warm welcome, a safe building and an exceptional experience for local people and visitors to Cornwall.
“I also want to acknowledge and thank our generous donors and, of course, our superb board whose combined expertise has guided me and the museum for over a decade.”
Stuart Slade, the museum’s head of public programming, will take over as interim director.
He said: “NMMC is a jewel in Cornwall’s crown, and I feel honoured and excited to be following in Richard’s distinguished footsteps as interim director.”