“Making connections” – Meet our new board members

We are a living network. Thus, during IATM’s annual conference and general assembly in Finland (8-11 September 2024) the Board welcomed new and familiar faces. And bid farewell to others. Get to know our three newly elected members in this article.

Meredith Greiling, Acting Keeper of Science and Technology at National Museums Scotland

Her background is in maritime history, in particular ship models, shipmaster societies and offshore industries. Meredith Greiling is strongly connected to transportation history. In her current position she is responsible for the Technology collections at National Museums Scotland. Which as well as energy production, industries and communication, also includes cars, buses, motorbikes, bicycles, and horse-drawn vehicles as well as an operational steam locomotive. Additionally, the National Museum of Flight is under her care.

One of the reasons that led her to join the IATM Board is her thrive for making meaningful connections

»I enjoy the opportunity to see other museums, to really get to know people and make connections which the scale and format of the IATM conferences allows. I have always found the group to be enormously friendly, the discussions fascinating and the range of topics varied, stimulating and relevant.«

Meredith Greiling, Acting Keeper of Science and Technology at National Museums Scotland

Meredith embraces the value of networks and sits – among others – on the Heritage Railway Associations Museums Committee. She is the Chair of the UK Maritime Heritage Network and a trustee of the former Fisheries Research Vessel Explorer.

National Museums Scotland (NMS) combines collections, programmes and people within four unique museums. The National Museum of Scotland, the National Museum of Flight, the National Museum of Rural Life and the National War Museum. NMS seeks to share its collections as widely as possible. Their mission is to preserve, interpret and make accessible for all, the past and present of Scotland, other nations and cultures, and the natural world.

Elizabeth McKay, Director and CEO of London Transport Museum

The London Transport Museum has been an IATM member for decades. Its former Director and CEO Sam Mullins is still a Board member and was the organisation’s president for several years. Thus, when Elizabeth McKay became the Director, she followed the invitation to join during the annual conference 2024. Prior, Elizabeth was the Deputy Director and COO, having joined LTM in 2018. As Director of LTM, she unveiled an ambitious vision for the future, including a new brand, cultural programme, and a major capital campaign to ensure the iconic Covent Garden museum is fit for the future. London Transport Museum is the world’s leading museum of urban transport. It explores the powerful link between transport and the growth of London, its culture and society since 1800.

»London Transport Museum has been a long-standing member of IATM. We recognise the value of sharing and exchanging ideas and best practice. London Transport Museum hosted the IATM conference in 2023 which coincided with Sam Mullins’ retirement from LTM and prior to stepping down from IATM. It was a joy to meet many of the delegates and Board at that conference. I was fortunate to attend the conference in Finland in 2024.  I was delighted to be invited to join the Board now that I’m also the Director and CEO of LTM.«

Elizabeth McKay, Director and CEO of London Transport Museum

Elizabeth is an active Trustee and Deputy Chair of Kids in Museums. Also, she is a member of the Insights Council supporting the English National Opera.

Jens Toftgaard, Director of Danish Railway Museum (Danmarks Jernbanemuseum)

Located in the city of Odense in the center of Denmark, the Danish Railway Museum is a national, independent museum foundation with state funding. The museum is housed in a historic depot. Approximately 90,000 annual guests enjoy the exhibitions and ride its vintage trains. Among the current projects overseen by its Director Jens Toftgaard are the construction of a 9,000 m2 train magazine for the historical collection, the renewal of the exhibitions in the depot and eventually an extension to the museum.

Jens holds a ph.d. in urban history and has previous experience as Head of Cultural Heritage at Museum Odense and Head of Development at the Hans Christian Andersen House. He became the Director of the Danish Railway Museum in October 2023.

photo by: Ard Jongsma

On joining the Board, he said:

»International co-operation and the associated exchange of views and experiences are very inspiring. Conserving and exhibiting large transport equipment pose some specific challenges and opportunities that we share in IATM, so it is only natural we learn from each other.
I’ve been in the museum business for some 20 years and always prioritized international co-operation because it is so fruitful and inspires the day-to-day museum business.«

Jens Toftgaard, Director of Danish Railway Museum (Danmarks Jernbanemuseum)

Who else is aboard?

The current IATM Board consists of twelve members and a secretary. You can learn more about them here. Besides, we have summarized the recent changes for you here:
At the last general assembly, Anja Schaluschke, Director of Museum for Communication Berlin was elected for a second term. Peter-Paul de Winter, Head of Collections at the Dutch Railway Museum, had to step down as a Board member according to IATM statutes. But, he remains the Secretary of IATM. We want to thank both for their continued support in shaping and growing the network.

Additionally, we thank Laura Wright, Director at The Postal Museum (London, GB) and Gábor Zsigmond, former Deputy General Director of the Hungarian Museum of Science, Technology and Transport, now General Director of the Hungarian National Museum for their input and support during their terms, especially in organising the annual conferences and designing our exchange.