Dr Nick Merriman was Chief Executive of the Horniman Museum and Gardens in London from 2018 –2024. In 2022 the organisation was awarded the Art Fund Museum of the Year prize. Previously he was Director of the Manchester Museum at the University of Manchester, and prior to that Reader in Museum and Heritage Studies at the Institute of Archaeology, University College London. He is Honorary Professor of Museum Studies at UCL and the University of Manchester. Among many other appointments has been President of the Council for British Archaeology, and Chair of ICOM UK. He is known for his contributions to the development of public archaeology and museum studies, and for influencing the heritage sector around issues of cultural diversity, sustainability and the future of collections. He took up the role of Chief Executive of English Heritage in February 2024.