The UK government has announced the appointment of three new trustees to the Royal Armouries Board, strengthening the institution’s leadership with professionals drawn from the digital, business, cultural, and public policy sectors.
The Secretary of State confirmed that Rebecca Crook, Judith Donovan and Helen Williams will each serve four-year terms.
Crook and Donovan will begin their appointments on 28 September 2026, serving until 27 September 2030, while Williams will take up her role on 1 October 2026, with her term concluding on 30 September 2030.
Rebecca Crook Brings Digital Leadership and Heritage Expertise
Rebecca Crook joins the board with extensive experience in the technology and digital services industry.
As UK Chief Executive of MSQ DX, she oversees a global digital experience business generating more than £70 million in annual revenue while leading a workforce of more than 500 professionals focused on digital products, customer experiences and artificial intelligence solutions.
Across a 25-year commercial career, Crook has helped grow and successfully sell three digital businesses with a combined value exceeding £140 million.
Alongside her corporate achievements, she has built a strong reputation within the heritage and cultural sectors.
Her work has included more than 15 years serving as a trustee and adviser to organizations dedicated to preserving historic sites and collections.
She currently chairs the Enterprise Committee at the Royal Pavilion & Museums Trust and previously co-founded and chaired Saltdean Lido Community Interest Company.
Under her leadership, more than £8 million was secured to restore the historic lido, resulting in its transformation into a thriving visitor attraction and community facility featuring recreational, hospitality and public services.
Crook has also served on the National Trust Strategic Advisory Board and the London Transport Museum board.
Beyond heritage work, she co-chairs the British Interactive Media Association’s CEO & Leadership Council, mentors women pursuing careers in technology and has received recognition through several leadership awards and industry rankings.
Judith Donovan Adds Decades of Public and Cultural Governance Experience
Judith Donovan CBE enters the Royal Armouries Board following a distinguished career spanning entrepreneurship, public service and charitable governance.
She founded her own marketing agency in 1982, becoming one of Yorkshire’s pioneering female entrepreneurs.
The business expanded to employ more than 50 staff and achieved annual turnover of approximately £12.5 million before being sold to its management team in 2000.
Since leaving the private sector, Donovan has focused on leadership roles across museums, heritage organizations, education, charities and public bodies.
Her current appointments include serving as a trustee of the Science Museum Group, membership of the National Railway Museum Advisory Board, chairing Employment Advisory Boards at HMP Askham Grange and New Hall, and leading Ripon Cathedral Council while serving as Vice Chair of the Ripon Cathedral Rural Forum.
She also chairs the Keep Me Posted campaign and contributes to several charitable and professional organizations through trustee and advisory positions.
Donovan’s previous appointments include chairing Eden Project Ltd, serving as a trustee of the National Army Museum, leading its commercial board, chairing the advisory board of the National Science and Media Museum and Science Innovation Park, and holding senior positions with organizations including the BIG Lottery Fund, the Health and Safety Executive, the Yorkshire Tourist Board and Bradford Chamber of Commerce.
Helen Williams Offers Senior Government and Investment Experience
Helen Williams joins the Royal Armouries Board from the National Wealth Fund, where she serves as Chief Strategy and Policy Officer.
As part of the government’s investment bank, Williams oversees strategy, policy, communications and shareholder relations.
She was a founding member of the executive leadership team and played an important role in establishing the institution while helping shape investment priorities supporting economic growth and clean energy projects throughout the UK. She also serves on the organization’s Investment, Risk and Credit Committees.
Williams brings more than 20 years of senior leadership experience across central government, having held positions within the Cabinet Office, HM Treasury and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.
During her tenure at DCMS, she was responsible for policy covering museums, heritage and the arts, overseeing relationships with major national cultural institutions and public bodies.
She has also served as Vice-Chair of the Horniman Museum and Gardens and, in 2022, was a member of Gold Command responsible for coordinating the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.
Appointments Follow Public Governance Rules
The appointments were made under the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments, which is overseen by the Commissioner for Public Appointments to ensure a fair and transparent recruitment process.
As trustees of the Royal Armouries, Crook, Donovan and Williams will not receive remuneration for their service.
In accordance with the governance requirements, each appointee confirmed that they have undertaken no significant political activity during the past five years.
Government Encourages Wider Participation in Public Appointments
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport oversees approximately 400 regulated public appointment positions across 42 public bodies.
These include organizations responsible for arts, heritage, sport and cultural governance throughout the United Kingdom.
The department said it continues to encourage applications from individuals representing diverse backgrounds and regions as part of its commitment to broadening participation in public service leadership roles.
