Susan Raikes has been appointed as Director of Wakehurst , Kew ’s wild botanic garden in Sussex and will join in June . She leaves her position as Director of Learning at the Science Museum Group , where she serve as a member of the Group Executive for the past six years . Prior to this , Susan lick as Head of Learning and National Partnerships at the British Museum for a decade . Notably , Susan was the 2012/2013 Arts Council England Museums Fellow on the Clore Cultural Leadership Programme and is also a conservator and author .
With a show track disk and passion for result teams that combust oddment and inspire the next coevals , Susan ’s term of office at the Science Museum Group has included the development of Technicians : The David Sainsbury Gallery at the Science Museum and the international awarding - winning Wonderlab+ website , as well as leading on SMG ’s commitment to be undecided for All , underline her commitment to accessible and excellent learning for everyone . This experience will help Wakehurst deliver its ambitious goals to engage the full public in the beauty and scientific time value of the Wakehurst site , play visitor and member prey , as well as architectural plan for next developments in the landscape painting .
Wakehurst , Kew ’s risky botanic garden in the Sussex High Weald , features ancient and beautiful landscapes across 535 demesne . Its divers assembling of plant from Britain and across the globe thrive with a tapestry of innovative gardens , temperate woodlands , meadows and wetland . Wakehurst is also a midpoint for UK biodiversity and global conservation , source research and ecosystem science . At its heart is Kew ’s Millennium Seed Bank , the world ’s largest store of seeds from uncivilized plant metal money .
press out her enthusiasm for the character , Susan says : " I am entranced to be joining Wakehurst at this pivotal moment in its organic evolution when advancing our scientific apprehension of plants and landscapes has never been more important . Wakehurst was a favourite destination for day trips during my childhood in West Sussex and I ca n’t wait to have the opportunity to share it with new generations of visitors . "
Richard Barley , Director of Gardens at RBG Kew tell : " We are aroused to announce that Susan is unite and convey her expertness to Wakehurst , I look forward to working with her and building on the spectacular work of the Wakehurst leadership team who continue to build up its strength as a multi - layered biodiverse research nitty-gritty , a rich landscape visitor attraction and as a hub for cultural and home events . "
Lorraine Lecourtois assumed the interim directorship in October 2023 following the departure of Ed Ikin . She will return to her position of Head of Public Programmes uphold her piece of work to establish RBG Kew as the world leader for education and engagement in nature through designing and executing inspirational experience and exhibition to force public interlocking .
Source : kew.org
