Paul Kirkman

Paul Kirkman is a consultant to the cultural and heritage sectors. He has 30 years experience in public policy and cultural sector leadership. He was Director of the National Railway Museum in York from 2012 to 2017, where he established a partnership with the City Council for a £700m brownfield development of land around the museum.

From 2005-2012 Paul had senior roles at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, including leading on the Spending Review and having responsibility for policy and funding for the National Museums and Arts Council England. He was Head of Policy of Planning at the Natural History Museum between 1999 and 2001, at the launch of its Darwin Centre development. He had three spells at HM Treasury and was Private Secretary to the Director General of the Confederation of British Industry, working for Howard Davies and Adair Turner in the period in the run up to the 1997 election.

Paul originally studied Philosophy at Edinburgh University, has an MA in Art History from Goldsmith’s College and was a fellow of the Clore Leadership Programme.

He lives in the East End of London with his wife Lilly, who runs her own design business.

Paul became a Trustee of the Royal Armouries in September 2018.