A senior De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) figure has been recognised in the 2015 Debrett’s 500 list of the most influential people in Britain.
Ian Blatchford, Chairman of the DMU Board of Governors, was included in the list published in the Sunday Times. The prestigious list names the ‘people of influence and achievement in British society’ and acknowledges inspiration and leadership.
Mr Blatchford has been recognised for his work as director of the Science Museum Group, which includes the London Science Museum and the National Railway Museum in York. Debrett’s describes Ian as “passionate about the role of museums in raising scientific debate and literacy for all ages.”
The list is compiled each year by independent panels of specialists and selects influential figures from a wide range of fields. The 500 are selected from 24 categories that include art, politics, business, and sport. Ian was recognised for his leading role in the field of Science. He joins famous figures including Prince Charles, Leicester’s own Gary Lineker - an honorary graduate of DMU - artist Tracey Emin and actor Benedict Cumberbatch.
Mr Blatchford joined the Board of Governors at DMU in September 2010 and uses his breadth of expertise in corporate finance, communications, and the arts and museum sectors, to advise and support the university. He was appointed Chairman of the Board at the end of July 2011 and is also a Pro Chancellor of the university.
He has previously worked for the Bank of England, Barclays de Zoete Wedd, the Royal Academy of Arts, the Arts Council, and the Victoria and Albert Museum. He took the role of director of the Science Museum Group in 2010. One of his many responsibilities at the Science Museum Group included assisting the Queen with posting the first ever tweet by a British monarch.
Posted on Tuesday 27 January 2015