The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 14 May 2026.
The Secretary of State has reappointed Michael Salter-Church as Chair of the Horniman Museum and Gardens from 14 August 2026 to 13 August 2030.
Michael Salter-Church
Michael has been Chair of the Horniman Museum and Gardens since 2021. He is also a Trustee and Council member of the National Trust.
His professional background is in corporate affairs, including media, public policy, sustainability and campaigning. Most recently he worked on the deployment of gigabit broadband with Openreach, where he also led work on digital inclusion and was sponsor of their Pride employee network. Roles prior to this include Sainsbury’s and 10 Downing Street. He is also a member of the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership.
He is a campaigner for equality and inclusion which has included: championing more diversity in governance roles; founding and for nine-years co-chairing the LGBTQ+ Pride event in London; serving as the then Prime Minister’s principal advisor on LGBTQ+ issues and equal marriage 2010-2015; and co-chairing the industry working group to improve diversity in the telecoms sector. He also serves on Action for Children’s organising committee for their largest annual fundraising event.
He accepted The Queen’s Award for Voluntary service on behalf of the volunteers who ran Pride in London, and was awarded an MBE for public service in 2015.
He lives with his husband and two partially sighted cats near the Horniman Museum and Gardens.
Remuneration and Governance Code
The Chair of the Horniman Museum is not remunerated.
These appointments have been made in accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments. The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments.
Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election.
Michael Salter-Church has declared no such political activity.