Latest
issue
GET ATTRACTIONS MANAGEMENT
magazine
Yes! Send me the FREE digital edition of Attractions Management and the FREE weekly Attractions Management ezines and breaking news alerts!
Not right now, thanksclose this window I've already subscribed. I've already subscribed.
Get Attractions Management digital magazine FREE
Sign up here ▸
Jobs   News   Features   Products   Company profilesProfiles   Magazine   Handbook   Advertise    Subscribe  
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
Expo 2030 Riyadh will create a permanent global destination
Expo 2030 Riyadh is being planned as a permanent visitor destination, with organisers confirming the six-million-square-metre site will become a Global Village after the event closes.
Australian waterpark acquisition creates new leisure attractions group
The owner of one of Australia's best-known waterparks has acquired a major competitor, creating a new attractions business spanning two of the country's largest visitor destinations.
London Museum reveals 2026 opening date for new Smithfield home
The London Museum’s new site will open in Smithfield, East London, on 28 November 2026.
Toverland unveils €98m expansion plan as park prepares to launch resort development
The Toverland theme park in the Netherlands has announced a €98m expansion programme that will add a resort, new attractions and staff facilities as it pursues plans to become a multi- day destination.
+ More news   
LATEST JOBS
National Event Planning and Logistics Officer
English Heritage
Salary: £30,190 - £32,636pa + matched pension + benefits
Job location: Home-based with countrywide travel , United Kingdom
+ More jobs  

COMPANY PROFILES
instantprint

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

Founded in 1993, Taylor Made Designs supply corporate clothing and brand-enhancing merchandise to [more...]
IAAPA EMEA

IAAPA Expo Europe was established in 2006 and has grown to the largest international conference and [more...]
Holovis

Holovis is a privately owned company established in 2004 by CEO Stuart Hetherington. [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
 

+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
29 Sep - 02 Oct 2026

Synergy - The Retreat Show

Pical Resort, Valamar Collection, Porec, Croatia
+ More diary  
LATEST ISSUES
+ View Magazine Archive

Attractions Management

2026 issue 1


View issue contents
View on turning pages
Download PDF
FREE digital subscription
Print subscription

Attractions Management

2025 issue 2


View issue contents
View on turning pages
Download PDF
FREE digital subscription
Print subscription

Attractions Management

2025 issue 1


View issue contents
View on turning pages
Download PDF
FREE digital subscription
Print subscription

Attractions Management

2024 issue 4


View issue contents
View on turning pages
Download PDF
FREE digital subscription
Print subscription

Attractions Management News

06 Apr 2020 issue 153


View on turning pages
Download PDF
View archive
FREE digital subscription
Print subscription

Attractions Handbook

2019


View issue contents
View on turning pages
Download PDF
FREE digital subscription
Print subscription
 
ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
 
ATTRACTIONS MANAGEMENT
ATTRACTIONS MANAGEMENT NEWS
ATTRACTIONS HANDBOOK
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS
ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026
Get Attractions Management digital magazine FREE
Sign up here ▸
Jobs    News   Products   Magazine   Subscribe
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
Expo 2030 Riyadh will create a permanent global destination
Expo 2030 Riyadh is being planned as a permanent visitor destination, with organisers confirming the six-million-square-metre site will become a Global Village after the event closes.
Australian waterpark acquisition creates new leisure attractions group
The owner of one of Australia's best-known waterparks has acquired a major competitor, creating a new attractions business spanning two of the country's largest visitor destinations.
London Museum reveals 2026 opening date for new Smithfield home
The London Museum’s new site will open in Smithfield, East London, on 28 November 2026.
Toverland unveils €98m expansion plan as park prepares to launch resort development
The Toverland theme park in the Netherlands has announced a €98m expansion programme that will add a resort, new attractions and staff facilities as it pursues plans to become a multi- day destination.
Butterfly sanctuary to host hot yoga during retreat at Jersey Zoo for Hotel de France
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
Warner Bros Discovery collaborates on upcoming Pompeii attraction
A new immersive attraction designed to transport visitors into the final hours of ancient Pompeii is preparing to open near the world-famous archaeological site in southern Italy.
+ More news   
 
COMPANY PROFILES
instantprint

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

Founded in 1993, Taylor Made Designs supply corporate clothing and brand-enhancing merchandise to [more...]
IAAPA EMEA

IAAPA Expo Europe was established in 2006 and has grown to the largest international conference and [more...]
Holovis

Holovis is a privately owned company established in 2004 by CEO Stuart Hetherington. [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
29 Sep - 02 Oct 2026

Synergy - The Retreat Show

Pical Resort, Valamar Collection, Porec, Croatia
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
ATTRACTIONS MANAGEMENT NEWS
ATTRACTIONS HANDBOOK
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS