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NEWS
National Football Museum names new chair and CEO with double appointment
POSTED 22 Sep 2017 . BY Tom Anstey
Ian Penrose is responsible for governance and leadership of the museum’s board of trustees Credit: Jason Lock for the National Football Museum
England's National Football Museum has announced two senior appointments, with Ian Penrose named non-executive chair and Tim Desmond taking over as CEO.

Having worked in the sports, leisure and gaming industry for more than 20 years, Penrose, who takes up his position with immediate effect, is responsible for overall governance and leadership of the museum’s board of trustees.

Having been CEO of Sportech since 2005, Penrose has has led the company’s strategic repositioning, making it one of the world's largest sports gaming technology providers and operators.

Desmond will take up his position from 6 November. He was previously CEO of the National Justice Museum in Nottingham, where he expanded the not-for-profit to set up education syndicates for children and young people to learn about the law at the UK Supreme Court and Royal Courts of Justice in London, the Manchester Civil Justice Centre and Crown Court.

“I have been on the board of trustees at the museum for many years, and have been proud to see it develop into the world-class visitor attraction that it is today,” said Penrose.

“I am pleased that Tim will be taking on the role of CEO. His successful track record, plus our combined keen interest in football, should ensure that we can lead the museum to the next stage of its development.”

Desmond said: "In my mind, there is no greater job in museums and attractions, than being the CEO of the National Football Museum in Manchester. I am looking forward to working with the Museum’s highly skilled and experienced trustees, staff, and volunteers, to create new opportunities for visitors to enjoy the history of our national game.”
Desmond will take up his position from 6 November
RELATED STORIES
  Manchester and London to co-host World Cup 1966 exhibition


The National Football Museum (NFM) has announced plans for a major exhibition recognising the 50th anniversary of England’s victory in the 1966 World Cup.
  Manchester's National Football Museum among runners for European Museum of the Year


Manchester’s National Football Museum, Titanic Belfast and the Mary Rose Museum in Portsmouth are among this year’s nominees for European Museum of the Year.
  Messagemaker display at National Football Museum


An aerial display from Messagemaker provides a dramatic backdrop at the National Football Museum, newly relocated in central Manchester, UK.
  UK Football Museum to invest in former site at Preston


The National Football Museum has announced it will invest in its original site in Preston, Lancashire, UK, which closed its doors to the public in 2010 when the museum moved to central Manchester. The Preston site no longer has public galleries but is still home to research facilities.
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NEWS
National Football Museum names new chair and CEO with double appointment
POSTED 22 Sep 2017 . BY Tom Anstey
Ian Penrose is responsible for governance and leadership of the museum’s board of trustees Credit: Jason Lock for the National Football Museum
England's National Football Museum has announced two senior appointments, with Ian Penrose named non-executive chair and Tim Desmond taking over as CEO.

Having worked in the sports, leisure and gaming industry for more than 20 years, Penrose, who takes up his position with immediate effect, is responsible for overall governance and leadership of the museum’s board of trustees.

Having been CEO of Sportech since 2005, Penrose has has led the company’s strategic repositioning, making it one of the world's largest sports gaming technology providers and operators.

Desmond will take up his position from 6 November. He was previously CEO of the National Justice Museum in Nottingham, where he expanded the not-for-profit to set up education syndicates for children and young people to learn about the law at the UK Supreme Court and Royal Courts of Justice in London, the Manchester Civil Justice Centre and Crown Court.

“I have been on the board of trustees at the museum for many years, and have been proud to see it develop into the world-class visitor attraction that it is today,” said Penrose.

“I am pleased that Tim will be taking on the role of CEO. His successful track record, plus our combined keen interest in football, should ensure that we can lead the museum to the next stage of its development.”

Desmond said: "In my mind, there is no greater job in museums and attractions, than being the CEO of the National Football Museum in Manchester. I am looking forward to working with the Museum’s highly skilled and experienced trustees, staff, and volunteers, to create new opportunities for visitors to enjoy the history of our national game.”
Desmond will take up his position from 6 November
RELATED STORIES
Manchester and London to co-host World Cup 1966 exhibition


The National Football Museum (NFM) has announced plans for a major exhibition recognising the 50th anniversary of England’s victory in the 1966 World Cup.
Manchester's National Football Museum among runners for European Museum of the Year


Manchester’s National Football Museum, Titanic Belfast and the Mary Rose Museum in Portsmouth are among this year’s nominees for European Museum of the Year.
Messagemaker display at National Football Museum


An aerial display from Messagemaker provides a dramatic backdrop at the National Football Museum, newly relocated in central Manchester, UK.
UK Football Museum to invest in former site at Preston


The National Football Museum has announced it will invest in its original site in Preston, Lancashire, UK, which closed its doors to the public in 2010 when the museum moved to central Manchester. The Preston site no longer has public galleries but is still home to research facilities.
MORE NEWS
Rainer Maelzer joins Therme Group as chief entertainment officer
Rainer Maelzer, an experiential entertainment innovator, has been appointed chief entertainment officer by Therme Group.
Movie Park Germany reveals new Paramount attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK. 
Efteling expands family offer with new Hooghmoed drop tower
Efteling has opened Hooghmoed, a new family drop tower designed to broaden the appeal of its recently launched Sirene Island themed area and introduce younger visitors to thrill attractions.
Universal and Puy du Fou projects point to rise of Oxford–Cambridge corridor
A proposed Puy du Fou development near Bicester and Universal Destinations and Experiences’ planned resort in Bedford are emerging as part of a wider transformation of the Oxford– Cambridge Growth Corridor into a major centre for UK leisure and tourism inv
Shedd Aquarium upgrades its visitor experience with new Immersion Theater
Shedd Aquarium has opened the Immersion Theater developed in partnership with SimEx- Iwerks, as part of a wider strategy to enhance the guest experience and create additional revenue opportunities.
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COMPANY PROFILES
Clip 'n Climb

Clip ‘n Climb currently offers facility owners and investors more than 40 colourful and unique Cha [more...]
instantprint

We’re a Yorkshire-based online printer, founded in 2009 by Adam Carnell and James Kinsella. [more...]
Simworx Ltd

The company was initially established in 1997. Terry Monkton and Andrew Roberts are the key stakeh [more...]
Alterface

Alterface’s Creative Division team is seasoned in concept and ride development, as well as storyte [more...]
+ More profiles  
FEATURED SUPPLIER

Iconic Liverpool attraction opens door to new operators
An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally opened by Rivington Hark, as St Johns Beacon invites operators and partners to shape its next phase. [more...]
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

09-11 Jun 2026

World Sauna Forum 2026

Savutuvan Apaja, Haapaniemi, Finland
23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

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