Who we are

In 2024 we changed our name from Museum of London to London Museum, a new brand for a new chapter of our evolution as we work towards the opening of our new museum at Smithfield in 2026.

London Museum is the working name for the Board of Governors of the Museum of London. We are governed by the Museum of London Act 1965 (as subsequently amended) and the Greater London Authority (GLA) Act 2007.

Our funding partners are the GLA and City of London Corporation, alongside support from an ever-expanding network of individuals, institutions and Londoners themselves.

Since December 2010 we have been a registered charity – Museum of London – with charity number 1139250.

We are a National Portfolio Organisation supported by Arts Council England. We are also an Area Partner delivering Museums Development for London.

HRH The Duke of Gloucester became the museum’s Patron in 2024. The Duke is a former architect and many of the charities he supports look after the historic environment, including the Victorian Society.

Our Director

Sharon Ament is Director of the Museum. On her appointment in September 2012, she introduced a new phase of transformation to steer the world’s leading city museum to reflect the energy and dynamism of London itself, including our name change to London Museum and the development of a new museum at Smithfield in Farringdon, due to open to visitors in 2026.

“We are marching forward at pace to create a fantastic new museum for the city – one that tells the story of London and its people in all its complicated and colourful glory.”

Sharon Ament, Museum Director
  • Sharon Ament, London Museum Director stands in a woodland smiling

    Sharon Ament, London Museum Director, photographed at One Tree Hill, Honor Oak in south-east London.

Sharon was born in Peckham and has lived in all quarters of the UK. She studied History of Art at the University of Leeds and is committed to lifelong learning. Throughout her career she has been driven by the premise of 'turning people onto big important ideas and causes' – this started early with her work for a number of small charities in Liverpool where she spent some of her childhood.

She later became involved in habitat and biodiversity conservation, working first with the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust to oversee a national portfolio of wetland centres and then at the Zoological Society of London and the Natural History Museum.

She cites the impact of the Museum of Liverpool, the Walker Art Gallery, and the Picton Reading Room as being formative in her early years.

Beyond the museum

Sharon has been a cultural ambassador for the Mayor of London. She is Chair of the London Screen Archives, a member of the Women Leaders in Museums Network, the Worshipful Company of Bakers, and a Noyce Leadership Fellow. She also sits on the Scientific Council in Paris and the International Advisory Board of the ArtScience Museum in Singapore.

She has a passion for art, cycling, walking and enjoys wild spaces, gardening and travel.

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