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# Queer Britain appoints Sir Nick Partridge as new chair
- URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/queer-britain-appoints-sir-nick-partridge-as-new-chair/
- Published: 2026-09-03T11:16:17.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-03T11:16:17.000Z
- Author: Graham Robson
- Tags: Culture

**Queer Britain** has announced the appointment of Sir **Nick Partridge** as the new chair of its board of trustees, succeeding co-founder **Ian Mehrtens**, who is stepping down after completing the maximum term allowed under the museum's governance framework.

The leadership change will take effect in September, marking a new chapter for the UK's first national LGBTQ+ museum as it continues to expand its reach and plan for a permanent home.

Sir Nick is one of the UK's best-known charity leaders and public health campaigners. He spent almost three decades at the **Terrence Higgins Trust**, including 22 years as chief executive, helping to establish the organisation as the country's leading HIV and sexual health charity. He has also served on a range of national healthcare and research bodies and was awarded an OBE in 1999 before being knighted in 2009 for services to healthcare.

His appointment follows an open recruitment process overseen by a nominations sub-committee of Queer Britain's board.

Mehrtens, who co-founded the museum alongside **Joseph Galliano-Doig**, has chaired the organisation since its inception and played a central role in transforming the idea of a dedicated LGBTQ+ museum into a reality. Under his leadership, Queer Britain opened its physical space in London in 2022 and has since become a prominent cultural institution preserving and celebrating LGBTQ+ history and culture.

Although stepping down as chair, Mehrtens will remain involved with the museum as chair of its property sub-committee, helping to lead the search for a permanent home from 2030.

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/2026/09/Queer_Britain.jpg)

Wikimedia

Reflecting on his time at the helm, Mehrtens said he was leaving the role with "enormous pride".

"After eight incredible and unforgettable years as chair, it is with enormous pride that I hand over the leadership of the museum to Sir Nick Partridge," he said.

"As one of the two founders of Queer Britain Museum, I have seen it grow from an idea to an award-winning institution. We set out with a simple ambition of creating Britain's first national museum dedicated to LGBTQ+ history and culture, to provide a permanent home for our stories to be preserved, celebrated and shared."

He added: "It is with great pleasure that I pass the chair to Sir Nick Partridge. His distinguished leadership, lifelong commitment to equality and inclusion, and deep understanding of our community make him an outstanding successor."

Partridge said he was "delighted" to be taking on the role and praised the museum's achievements in bringing LGBTQ+ stories into the mainstream.

"The museum has already made an extraordinary contribution by bringing LGBTQ+ history into the mainstream and creating a space where people can learn, reflect and feel a sense of belonging," he said.

"Our history is rich, diverse and deeply connected to the story of modern Britain, yet too much of it has been overlooked or forgotten. Queer Britain Museum is helping to change that."

He also paid tribute to Mehrtens' leadership and said he looked forward to working with trustees, staff, volunteers and supporters to expand the museum's impact and secure its long-term future.

**Andrew Given**, chief executive of Queer Britain, described Mehrtens as an "outstanding chair" whose expertise in charity governance had been invaluable to the organisation's development.

"Ian Mehrtens, along with co-founder Joseph Galliano-Doig, worked tirelessly for almost five years to bring the idea of Queer Britain Museum into a physical space during 2022," he said.

"Everyone at Queer Britain Museum is excited to welcome Sir Nick as our new chair, to lead the board in our mission to reclaim, preserve and celebrate British LGBTQ+ history and culture."

The appointment comes as Queer Britain continues to establish itself as a leading national institution dedicated to preserving LGBTQ+ heritage, with plans to build on its growing profile while securing a permanent home for future generations.