Great North Museum: Hancock welcomes new manager - fresh from London

A new museum manager has been appointed at the Great North Museum: Hancock in Newcastle. Caroline McDonald, a specialist in Roman and prehistoric archaeology, will bring a wealth of experience to her new role. Before her new appointment, she was senior curator at the Museum of London.

A native of the capital, Caroline is keen to embrace the North East and all it has to offer. She says: “I am very excited to join the Great North Museum: Hancock. It is a wonderful museum which is treasured by local people and which has become one of the region’s most popular attractions since its redevelopment. I’m very much looking forward to leading it to further success in the future.

“As someone who is new to the North East I am also keen to explore all there is to offer and to absorb some of the legendary culture, scenery and heritage there is here.”

The Great North Museum: Hancock, is managed by Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums on behalf of Newcastle University, on whose campus it is situated. The museum is in its 6th year of opening since a £26m redevelopment and attracts almost half a million visitors every year.

Iain Watson, the Director of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums said:

“It is great news for us to have Caroline as manager of the Great North Museum: Hancock. She brings an excellent mix of experience and knowledge to the organisation and we’re really glad to have her join the team.”

Prof Eric Cross, Dean of Cultural Affairs at Newcastle University, said:

“We are delighted to welcome Caroline to the Great North Museum: Hancock. As well as her wide experience and archaeological expertise, she understands the wider dynamics of a university museum and the ways in which it can enhance our research and teaching across a wide range of disciplines.”

Caroline started her career at the QVC shopping channel – where she learned to tell a good story; from there she moved to Meridian TV.

A decision to take her passion for museums and turn it into a career led Caroline to volunteer at Colchester Museums, as she took her second undergraduate degree. She graduated with a first class degree from the Institute of Archaeology College, London.

After a spell as Finds Liaison Officer for Essex, Caroline went on to become the Curator of Archaeology at Ipswich Museum when Colchester and Ipswich Museums merged into one service. After eight happy years she moved to the Museum of London, which tells the story of London – her home town.

The Great North Museum is a partnership between Newcastle University, Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums, the Natural History Society of Northumbria (NHSN) and the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle upon Tyne (SANT).