The Royal Armouries was established in its present form by the National Heritage Act (1983) and is a Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB) sponsored by the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). We receive of Grant-in-Aid funding from government but raise additional funds through commercial activity and from donations and sponsorship. The Royal Armouries is an exempt charity under the Charities Act 1993.
We are governed by a Board of Trustees who are appointed by the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).
Statutory duties
The National Heritage Act 1983 lays down that the Trustees of the Armouries must:
care for, preserve and add to the objects in their collections
secure that the objects are exhibited to the public
secure that the objects are available for study and research
maintain a record relating to their collections, to arms and armour in general and to the Tower
generally promote the public’s enjoyment and understanding of arms and armour
To help fulfil these duties the Act says that the Trustees may:
provide education, instruction and advice
enter into contracts and other agreements
acquire and dispose of land and property
charge for admission to their collections displayed outside the Tower
make limited disposals from their collections
lend and borrow objects
Board of Trustees of the Armouries
The Royal Armouries is governed by a Board of Trustees who are appointed by the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and hold the collections in trust for the nation:
The Board of Trustees appointed a director to be responsible for providing leadership to the Royal Armouries and reporting to the Board of Trustees in all matters relating to the Royal Armouries performance. Since 30 September 2013 the role has been undertaken by the Director General and Master, who also holds responsibility as Accounting Officer.
Dr Edward Impey was appointed as Director General and Master of the Armouries in July 2013.
Executive Board
The Executive Board manage the Royal Armouries and report to the Director General and Master of the Armouries:
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