New Chair of Thackray Museum of Medicine Neil Clephan, OBE, joins outgoing Chair Professor Neil Kaiper-Holmes
Neil Clephan OBE, former head of Roundhay School and National Leader for Education, has been appointed Chair of Thackray’s Board of Trustees, from November 2026.
Described as ‘an inspirational leader’, Neil Clephan joins us ahead of our 30th birthday celebrations in 2027. He takes over from Professor Neil Kaiper-Holmes who oversaw a transformational period for the organisation over his seven-year tenure, including our re-development and re-opening in May 2021.
As Head of Roundhay School, Leeds for 20 years, Neil Clephan developed it into the first school in the country to provide all-through education from ages 4 to 18. He joins Thackray officially in November continuing a career dedicated to learning, supporting a broad-base of culture and sport and a passionate commitment to local communities.
Neil Clephan OBE, Chair-elect of Thackray said:
“I am delighted and honoured to have been appointed Chair of Thackray Museum of Medicine as it enters its 30th anniversary year in 2027. I have a long association with Leeds as a city, especially the local community and working with other local and regional organisations and charities. It was more than 20 years ago that I first visited the Thackray with my family, which made a lasting impression on us as it has for generations of visitors, including my son who is now a nurse.
Thackray’s multi-award-winning success, including recent recognition as one of the UK’s top 10 museums by Time Out magazine, is no surprise. As we mark 30 years with our partners, we are entering an exciting new chapter that will shape our plans for the next 30 years and beyond, while building on the achievements of outgoing Chair, Professor Neil Kaiper-Holmes.
I am genuinely excited to have the opportunity to contribute, by using my diverse governance and professional experience with my fellow committed trustees, to support our dynamic CEO Edward Appleyard and his excellent team, as they fulfil our charitable mission ‘to help shape a better tomorrow’, locally and nationally.”
Appointed as one of the first National Leaders for Education in the country, Neil was additionally a national Pupil Premium Champion underlining his commitment to supporting disadvantaged people and helping to remove barriers for those living in areas of social and economic deprivation. He continues to support schools and academy trusts in advisory roles and works closely with organisations working through significant change.
Neil’s support for young people extends into higher education, having been a board member of the University of Leeds and now as an advisory trustee for Leeds University Union. He is also Chair of a charity dedicated to supporting prisoners’ families – Jigsaw Visitors Centre – and as a former trustee of both Leeds Rhinos Foundation and Leeds Heritage Theatres, passionately believes in providing sport and cultural engagement opportunities for all.
His appointment comes at an exciting time for Thackray, as we begin to establish ambitious long-term plans for the next 30 years, and follows an exceptional seven years overseen by our outgoing Chair Professor Neil Kaiper-Holmes.
During Professor Kaiper-Holmes’ tenure, the museum has gone from strength to strength, including recognition as one of three finalists for Art Fund’s Museum of the Year Award in 2021, and the only UK shortlisted nominee for European Museum of the Year in 2023. With Edward Appleyard joining as CEO in January 2023, Kaiper-Holmes’ chairmanship has overseen the museum establish a new and widely-recognised exhibition programme; a greater variety of events such as our popular Thackray Lates; an accessible pricing and membership strategy; encouraged growth and development of our team; and support of several projects to help secure a resilient future.
Kaiper-Holmes has also passionately supported wider partnership working, particularly with the University of Leeds School of Medicine with the Monty Losowsky Annual Lecture prize as a cornerstone activity. These efforts, alongside Neil’s long-standing commitment to healthcare, were recognised by the University last year when they awarded him a Visiting Professorship for services to furthering medical education in Leeds. He has also helped forge multiple relationships between the museum, Leeds business and more besides, and maintained an active, highly-committed and engaged Board of Trustees.
Edward Appleyard, Chief Executive of Thackray said:
“Established with the foresight of Paul Thackray, our museum exists because of our incredible 85,000+ item collection telling the story of medicine and medical achievement. In 2026 however, we are really a museum telling human stories and experiences, helping us connect, learn about and understand each other.
As such, I am absolutely thrilled that our next chair has such a wealth of experience in doing just that, primarily through the inspiring education of young people, which has defined much of his career, but moreover this commitment to communities and supporting the people that need us most. The team and I are looking forward to our next chapter, as we begin to look ahead, with 30 years of incredible experiences and lives inspired and transformed through our achievements both behind and in front of us. None of this forward-thinking ambition would have been possible without the support, encouragement and leadership of our retiring chair Professor Neil Kaiper-Holmes. His tenure here will long be remembered and celebrated as one of the most exciting periods in the museum’s history.”
Professor Neil Kaiper-Holmes, outgoing chair of Thackray said:
“It has been my absolute honour to serve as Chair of this wonderful organisation for the past seven years. As part of my 60-year career in medicine, this chapter has been incredibly fulfilling in what I have been able to help support. To see the museum flourish following its redevelopment, and to see it continue to grow and push the boundaries of what an organisation like this can achieve over the past few years under its CEO Edward Appleyard, has been a true highlight of my decades committed to healthcare and the community.
I am especially pleased to be handing over to Neil Clephan OBE, who with his extensive experience in learning, governance and supporting cultural activities will continue to see the museum climb its trajectory of success and growth. I wish him and all the team well, and express my greatest thanks to the Trustees, staff and volunteers, past and present, for their unstinting commitment, support, advice and friendship.”