Press release

Dr Lintott appointed as Trustee of the National Maritime Museum

Dr Christopher Lintott is appointed as a Trustee of the National Maritime Museum.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

The Prime Minister has appointed Dr Christopher Lintott as a Trustee of the National Maritime Museum. His term of appointment runs from 24 June 2010 until 23 June 2014.        

Biographical notes

Currently, Dr Lintott is Researcher in Astrophysics at Oxford University (2009 to date), as well as Fulford Junior Research Fellow at Somerville College, Oxford (2006 to 2010). In 2003, he joined the BBC’s ‘Sky at Night’ TV programme as Astronomical Researcher before becoming Co-Presenter in 2005. He writes a regular column for the Times, and has had articles published the Guardian and the New York Times. He is the Executive Chair of the Citizen Science Alliance, a collaboration of 5 science institutions which manages projects involving nearly 100 researchers and educators. He has not undertaken any party political activity in the last five years

Notes for Editors

The National Maritime Museum (NMM) is the largest maritime museum in the world. During 2008/09, the NMM welcomed more than 2 million visitors from across the world, its website attracted nearly 10 million users, nearly 15,000 collections related and subject enquiries were answered. Some 308,000 learners participated in educational programmes.. The Museum receives funding from the taxpayer, via Grant-in-Aid, with additional income derived from trading activity and sponsorship. The NMM is an exempt charity and an Executive Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB). It has an annual income of some £25 million and a permanent staff of 412, under the Board of Trustees, the Director, and an Executive.

The Museum is unique in the architectural significance and setting of its main buildings.  The 17th-century Queen’s House, designed by Inigo Jones and probably the most important early classical building in England, is the keystone of the historic ‘park and place’ landscape of maritime Greenwich, which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site (WHS) in 1997. Flamsteed House (1675 to 76), the original part of the Royal Observatory, was designed by Sir Christopher Wren and was the first purpose-built scientific research facility in Britain.

Trustees of the National Maritime Museum give their services on an honorary basis but reasonable expenses are reimbursed.  

These Appointments have been made in accordance with the OCPA Code of Practice, and are made on merit. Political activity plays no part in the selection process.

Published 8 July 2010