Ladies first! NRM appoints first female director

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IN a sector that was long regarded an exclusively male-oriented domain, three ladies have been appointed to top jobs.

In a move that had been widely anticipated for several months, Judith McNicol has been confirmed as the permanent director of the National Railway Museum, one of the top jobs in world railway heritage and becomes the first woman to lead the museum in its 45-year history.

Judith McNicol has been chosen to lead the National Railway Museum through the biggest redevelopment in its history. NRM

She had been undertaking the role as acting director since the departure of Paul Kirkman last July.

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Elsewhere, The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust has appointed Daniela Filová as its new assistant mechanical engineer to help build new Gresley P2 2-8-2 No. 2007 Prince of Wales, while Donna Maskery has become the new museum manager at the Donegal Railway Heritage Centre in Donegal Town.

Judith has been based at the NRM since she joined the Science Museum Group in 2005, during which time she has held many important roles – most recently as Director of People and Culture, supporting both the York museum and the wider group.

Now occupying the key role at the hub of the UK heritage sector, Judith said: “It is a very special privilege to become director of the NRM. This museum and the collection it holds are close to my heart: my great-great-grandfather was one of the many to die in the construction of the Forth Railway Bridge and from a young age, I remember travelling across that bridge in awe of the scale, beauty and the possibilities that it held.

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