SS Great Britain Trust is pleased to announce the election of Jim McKenna as chair at its 2018 AGM.
Jim’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for the charitable trust which has recently opened the Being Brunel museum as a major addition at Brunel’s SS Great Britain. With the attraction drawing record visitor numbers, its impact on the tourism economy is substantial, and it is fast becoming one of the major tourism drivers for the south west region.
Jim remarked:
“I am delighted to be taking up this position at such an exciting time, with the 175th anniversary of the ship’s launch this month. While I can’t lay out the next 175 years in detail, we can commit to continuing to inspire future generations of engineers and entrepreneurs as well as further boosting the Trust’s impact for south west England both in terms of the tourism economy and preserving its rich maritime heritage.”
Jim has long been passionate about improving life chances and opportunities for young people, and he is also chair of Catch 22, a social business doing exactly that. His career to date has included Chief Operating Officer at Logica Plc., chair of Azzurri Communications, Arkivum and Sidonis, and he was a member of the Government’s Senior Salaries Review Board.
He takes over as chair from Colin Green CBE who had held the position since 2009. Colin passionately oversaw the development of Being Brunel from its early planning and fundraising through to the Trust bringing together the world’s most significant Brunel collection and opening a new museum with international significance in Bristol.
Colin said:
“I congratulate Jim on his appointment and am delighted that he will take the Trust forward with ambitious plans and a breadth of invaluable experience. I have enjoyed working with Chief Executive Matthew Tanner and staff and volunteers who have continually been forward-thinking and have delivered beyond expectation in providing a world-class visitor experience, unique event venue and education and academic programmes that successfully tackle real-world challenges inspiring future generations of engineers.”
