Update from Karen Davies Interim CEO, Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust

As a valued supporter or participant in the Museum Development Midlands Programme (MDM) which is delivered in partnership by Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust and Leicestershire County Council, I am writing to you following the recent statement by the Secretary of State for DCMS, Lisa Nandy, regarding funding of £9m being provided to the National Trust (NT) for the transfer of all of the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust’s (IGMT) museums, listed buildings, monuments and collections.

You will be aware that the last few years have been difficult for many museums,  heritage organisations and charities in other sectors and IGMT is no different. Following a review of several options, the Museum’s trustees concluded that Ironbridge’s future would be best secured as part of a larger organisation with a national profile.

This means that from 2 March 2026 all of IGMT’s assets will transfer to the NT.

We have been working closely with Arts Council England (ACE), and Leicestershire County Council (LCC) to ensure that the future of the MDM programme is secured, and that the skills and experience of the MDM team based at Ironbridge is retained.

Whilst it is still work in progress, the plan is that the MDM Funding Agreement will novate to LCC at a date yet to be confirmed.

As the transfer between IGMT and NT will not take place until March 2026, IGMT will continue to be responsible for the ACE Museum Development Funding Agreement until the point of novation to LCC.  

I would like to personally assure you that we will be working behind the scenes to ensure that this change in the Funding Agreement management will not have any impact for delivery of the MDM programme.

With best wishes

Karen Davies

Interim CEO, Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust