Barbara Woroncow
Barbara Woroncow is a museum professional who began her career as a curator of ethnographic collections in local authority museum services. She later transitioned into advisory work, serving for 16 years as the Chief Executive of the Yorkshire Museums Council, a regional body funded by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport. Subsequently, she undertook international consultancy and development work for organizations like UNESCO across Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the Southern Caucasus, specialising in change management.
A past elected President of the UK Museums Association, Barbara was awarded an OBE in 2000 for services to museums. Her other roles have included experience as an independent assessor for public appointments and board membership for Yorkshire’s tourism bodies.
Barbara holds a degree in Archaeology and Anthropology from Cambridge University and completed a postgraduate course in Museum Studies at the University of Leicester. She was appointed as a Trustee of the Royal Armouries in January 2022 and currently chairs the museum’s Collections, Research and Learning Committee. She is also a Trustee of the Captain Cook Memorial Museum in Whitby. Barbara currently lives in Leeds.
Barbara Woroncow has been reappointed for a term of 4 years, commencing on 1 January 2026.
Remuneration and Governance Code
Trustees of the Royal Armouries are not remunerated. These appointments have been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s 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.
Barbara Woroncow has declared no such political activity.
Notes to Editors
DCMS has around 400 regulated Public Appointment roles across 42 Public Bodies including Arts Council England, Theatres Trust, the National Gallery, UK Sport and the Gambling Commission. We encourage applications from talented individuals from all backgrounds and across the whole of the United Kingdom. To find out more about Public Appointments or to apply visit the HM Government Public Appointments Website.