Museum appoints new chair of Board of Trustees

Black Country Living Museum has announced the appointment of Professor Martin Levermore as its new chair following an extensive search. 

Professor Levermore (pictured) will chair a Board of Trustees of 15 with ultimate responsibility for the award-winning Museum’s operation, performance and development.

He is visiting professor for Health, Education and Life Science at Birmingham City University as well as being the founder and business development director of Medical Devices Technology Limited, a specialist company for the supply of NHS medical devices and services.

 Previous positions include, Royal Army Ordnance Corp Ammunition Technician, export manager at J.C. International Commodities S.A., trade finance manager for North African Desk of Banesto.

He has also worked with Monroe Business Development Consultancy and Pintos Global Services Limited, and was vice-chair of Nehemiah Housing Association.

Professor Levermore holds a number of other positions, including as a Deputy Lieutenant for the West Midlands.

Duncan Bedhall, acting chair since April 2025, said: “Martin greatly impressed the selection panel with his strategic clarity, vision, business experience and acumen, understanding of the Black Country and the role and contribution of the Museum to a better society. All that, much more and Martin’s humility made him the standout choice.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Dr Paul Belford, chair from 2020 and a Trustee since 2016, for his highly effective leadership.

“And as I return to the backbenches so to speak, I want to thank my fellow Trustees and Andrew for all their support and encouragement during my interim leadership of the Board.”

Professor Levermore said: “I feel honoured, delighted and excited in equal measure to be appointed as the Museum’s new chair. As a West Midlander and living in Bloxwich – deep in the Black Country – I have admired the Museum for a long time. I am so looking forward to working with my fellow Trustees on the Board and Andrew’s team to ensure the Museum continues to thrive.

“The Museum is an essential part of the connected tissue of our region, and I want to ensure it makes an even greater contribution to the innovation and national understanding of the Black Country, its future economic growth and prosperity, wellbeing and positive social mobility.”

Andrew Lovett OBE, chief executive, said: “I know Martin shares my belief that the Museum is a force for good in the service of the Black Country community and has so much more to give. I’m especially enthusiastic to draw-on Martin’s strategic thinking, regional reputation and deep humanitarian skills.

“I also want to add my heartfelt thanks to Dr Paul Belford and Duncan Bedhall for their support and leadership.”