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Dr Jim Thompson PSM announced as

Media Release, CEO named for Queensland Museum Network, Queensland Museum Network, 13 December 2018

Dr Jim Thompson as the new Director and CEO of Queensland Museum Network.

Queensland Museum Network today announced acting CEO Dr Jim Thompson as the new Director and CEO of the state-wide organisation.

Queensland Museum Board Chair David Conry says the CEO was selected from a competitive process and strong field of national and international candidates.

“Jim’s experience in the science and government sectors, and his leadership in the last 15 months made him an outstanding candidate to strengthen and revitalise the future of the museum.”

“The Queensland Museum Network has an incredibly rich history, and the brightest of futures. I’m delighted Dr Thompson has been appointed CEO of Queensland’s iconic museum network,” he said.

“On behalf of the Queensland Museum Board, I congratulate Dr Thompson on his appointment to lead Queensland’s premier cultural and research institution, and one of Australia’s most visited museums.”  Minister for Science and Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch welcomed Dr Thompson’s appointment to lead one of Queensland’s major cultural institutions.

“Dr Thompson has shown great leadership while acting as CEO of the Queensland Museum Network and I’m delighted he will continue in this role,” Ms Enoch said.

“He has guided the museum through a busy period, during which it delivered the third World Science Festival Brisbane, opened the new SparkLab Sciencentre and Anzac Legacy Gallery at its South Bank campus, and refreshed science galleries across the network.

“The Queensland Museum Network attracted an impressive 2.43 million visitors in 2017-18, showing that locals and visitors are responding with passion to its inspiring and innovative exhibitions and programs.”

Dr Jim Thompson said he was looking forward to being the custodian of Queensland’s state museum. “It is a great honour to lead an institution that showcases the state’s best cultural treasures and brings 14 million research and collection items in natural, biodiversity and social history to life.”

“I am extremely proud of the contribution the Queensland Museum Network makes every day – across our state, nationally and globally – and I am excited about working on the vision for the network’s future.” Dr Thompson said.

The Queensland Museum Network is set for another ambitious year in 2019 with the World Science Festival Brisbane on again in March, the reopening of the Discovery Centre and a new temporary exhibition hall suitable to host 1000 square metres and a major international exhibition soon to be announced.

Dr Jim Thompson’s role oversees the Queensland Museum South Bank, The Workshops Rail Museum at Ipswich, Cobb+Co Museum in Toowoomba and Museum of Tropical Queensland in Townsville.

About Dr Jim Thompson
Dr Thompson has an extensive career in the areas of research, policy and the public sector. He has a PhD in Wildlife Management, a Master of Resource Science and a Bachelor of Science  (Hons) in Zoology/Animal Biology.

Jim was previously the Chief Biosecurity Officer at Biosecurity Queensland since 2011. Jim began at Queensland Museum in September 2017 and was awarded a public service medal for service.

About Queensland Museum Network
Queensland Museum Network was founded in 1862 and has been discovering, documenting and celebrating Queensland’s biological diversity, cultural heritage and geological treasures for more than 150 years.

The network is an established leader in STEM engagement, enhancing Queensland’s profile as a knowledge economy and positioning the state as an international hub for scientific thought leadership. The network holds exclusive license in Asia Pacific to host the World Science Festival Brisbane in March every year until 2021.

ENDS

Media contact: [email protected]
Interviews and photographs available