Following the departure of its director of museums, Helen Thornton, Ripon Museum Trust has begun the search for her successor.

Ms Thornton, who was director for four covid-affected years, has left the heritage sector to take up the post of town clerk for Baildon in West Yorkshire.

The trust, which since 2020, has been awarded financial support totalling more than £500,000 from Arts Council England and the Heritage Lottery Fund said in a statement it was seeking a new director "to provide inspiring and collaborative leadership".

It added the successful candidate would be "a transformational leader" with "proven management and leadership experience, that will enable Ripon Museum Trust to realise their potential to become a museum with a national profile".

The new director will be involved in shaping the strategic direction and delivery of the The Workhouse, Prison & Police and Old Courthouse museums at a pivotal point in the trust's 41-year history, amid a development phase bid to the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Richard Taylor, chair of the board of trustees said:

Read more:

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• Lottery Fund provides £100,000 boost for Ripon heritage attractions