Hedley Swain to step down as CEO of Brighton & Hove Museums
Brighton & Hove Museums has today announced that Chief Executive Officer, Hedley Swain, will be stepping down at the end of October 2026, following six years of leadership.
Swain joined Brighton & Hove Museums in October 2020 after a notable career in the cultural sector, including over seven years as Area Director South East at Arts Council England and senior leadership roles at the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) and the Museum of London.
During his tenure, he guided the independent charity through a pivotal period of transformational change, strengthening the organisation’s reach and overseeing major initiatives across its five historic venues: the Royal Pavilion, Brighton Museum & Art Gallery, Preston Manor & Gardens, the Booth Museum of Natural History, and Hove Museum of Creativity.
Hedley and his wife are relocating to Sweden, where she has secured a senior position at a museum in Stockholm.
Reflecting on his departure, Hedley said:
“It has been an exceptionally busy six years, and I have loved being in Brighton and I am immensely proud of all we have achieved together. I wish the Trust every success on its ongoing journey and look forward to watching its progress. Thanks to everyone who has supported me, with a special thanks to a great leadership team and my amazing executive board colleagues.”
Michael Bedingfield, Chair of Trustees at Brighton & Hove Museums, paid tribute to Hedley’s contribution:
“On behalf of the Board of Trustees and everyone at Brighton & Hove Museums, I want to express our deep gratitude to Hedley for his dedicated leadership over the past six years. Hedley has steered the Trust through significant challenges and opportunities with steady vision, deep sector expertise, and genuine passion for our cultural heritage. He leaves the organisation in a strong position for the future, and we wish him and his wife every success as they begin this exciting new chapter in Sweden.”
Current Deputy CEO, Abigail Thomas will step into the role of Interim CEO at the end of October to ensure continuity while the Board of Trustees conducts the recruitment process for a permanent successor. Operations and upcoming programming across all sites remain business as usual.