Ros Westwood MBE retires from Buxton Museum after 25 years of dedicated service!

Ros Westwood MBE has worked at Buxton Museum for 25 years and been the Museum Manager for Derbyshire for a similar amount of time, during her time in this role, she has been fully committed to putting on incredible events as well as educating local people and tourists, through the Museums in our wonderful county.

Back in 2019, Ros won a MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire), for her services to culture in the East Midlands. In the 25 years that she has been Derbyshire Museums Manager, Ros has transformed the service and visitor figures to the museum have doubled, with the county receiving locally, regionally and nationally recognised awards for its exhibitions and events.

When she took over the running of the museum and art gallery on Terrace Road in Buxton, it had lost its recognised Museum Association status, but it was quickly turned around and not only was its membership status re-established, it also achieved Arts Council accreditation – a nationally recognised quality mark. As well as her responsibilities as Museum Manager, Ros has worked across the heritage sector, offering advice and support as a curatorial advisor for Buxton Crescent, Castleton Historical Society and Bakewell Old House Museum. She is also a fellow of the Museums Association. She has also led and developed regionally significant partnerships with more than 30 organisations, from the British Museum to the Buxton Civic Society, and recruited more than 100 volunteers to support various museum projects.

Ros had been at the forefront of the £1.5m redevelopment of Buxton Museum and Art Gallery, which transformed the interior and exhibition space. This work has run alongside the use of technology which had opened up the museum to the world through the internet. “When I found out about the honour I was speechless and I am incredibly humbled by it. I’ve been very lucky, growing up with the opportunities to engage in cultural activities, and working with colleagues who strongly believe we can make a positive difference, ensuring that as many people as possible in all sorts of ways can enjoy, participate and find employment and volunteering opportunities in arts, museums, story-telling, nature and culture.”

Ros will have her last day at the end of the month, on the 30th May. Take this opportunity to thank Ros for her outstanding work to Derbyshire Museums and the county!

Visit the link below to join us in saying thank you to Ros.

https://viing.com/v/ross-retirement-tkhyj4/