Long-serving chair of National Motor Museum in Beaulieu, Christopher Macgowan, steps down

THE chair of Beaulieu’s National Motor Museum, Christopher Macgowan OBE, is stepping down after more than two decades as one of the charity’s trustees.

Christopher joined the board of the National Motor Museum in 1999 and has been its chair since 2019.

During this time he has been involved in every aspect of museum life – including overseeing with Lord Montagu celebrations to mark the attraction’s 50th anniversary.

Christopher said: “As chairman I have worked with Lord Montagu to recruit a new team of trustees, including our new chief executive Jon Murden in order to set the museum on a firm footing for the future.

“As we know, you continually need to modernise and evolve, so now all of this is in place it is right for me to step down and find the right person to take the museum forward.”

He added: “We have to be and want to be far more adventurous in terms the work we do at Beaulieu. The museum is in a wonderful position to move forward into the future.”

Christopher was a former chief executive of both the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) and the Retail Motor Industry Federation(RMIF.

He began his career working for British Leyland from 1965-72, having joined the truck manufacturer as marketing apprentice.

He was sales manager for Canada for four years, based in Toronto, and was responsible for developing the dealer network.

Christopher then worked for Massey-Ferguson from 1973-87 as international training manager and UK manager from 1977.

Trust chief executive Mr Murden said: “We are extremely grateful for the hard work, experience, advice and leadership of our current chairman Christopher Magowan OBE, who has been a board member for over 10 years.

“His successor will have big shoes to fill.”

The attraction is now looking for a new chair to help shape its future.

Mr Murden added: “We are looking for a dynamic and enthusiastic new chair of the board of trustees, to help shape and lead the direction of the museum, capital redevelopment plan and fundraising campaign.

“Applicants should have the profile, empathy, time, knowledge, networking and fundraising experience to lead trustee meetings and provide support and advice to Lord Montagu and our senior management team.”

The new chair will work alongside Lord Montagu and other trustees to shape plans to improve the museum as well as upgrade facilities for the conservation and restoration of over 285 display vehicles.

The voluntary role requires a commitment of two to three days a month both at home and on-site at Beaulieu.

The closing date for applications is 14th April. Email anna-marie.o’connor@beaulieu.co.uk