Beamish Museum CEO Rhiannon Hiles appointed CBE in King’s Birthday Honours
Beamish, The Living Museum of the North’s Chief Executive Rhiannon Hiles has been appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the King’s Birthday Honours.
Rhiannon was awarded the honour for services to museums and to the culture and heritage of North East England.
Rhiannon is a passionate advocate for museums, heritage and the North East. She joined Beamish, The Living Museum of the North in 1995 as a volunteer and Engager and made Beamish her career. Rhiannon has been Chief Executive since 2021, leading the museum’s team of 520 staff and 400 volunteers.
Rhiannon said: “I am deeply proud to have received this honour for services to museums and to the culture and heritage of North East England. To be recognised in this way for my passion for the region, and for representing its people and their stories, means a great deal to me and has had a profound impact. I feel this honour also belongs to everyone who has supported me in my commitment to placing heritage and culture at the centre of people’s lives. I love leading Beamish and working with our fantastic team of staff and volunteers, championing the role of museums at the heart of communities.
“I feel privileged to be recognised for this work and I will continue to ensure the cultural heritage of the North East remains at the forefront of social and economic life, and I accept this honour with humility and sincere gratitude to those who have placed their faith in me.”
Beamish Museum is the region’s most visited attraction and among the top paid-for attractions nationally, welcoming over 815,000 visitors last year. Beamish was named Art Fund Museum of the Year 2025, the world’s largest museum prize.
Rhiannon has guided the museum through major expansion projects and regeneration, majorly impacting on the tourism, skills and economy of the region. Following the completion of the Remaking Beamish project, the biggest capital development in the museum’s history, Beamish is about to launch its ambitious strategy for the future.
Chris Loughran, Chair of Beamish, The Living Museum of the North, said: “This honour is a testament to Rhiannon’s dedication to Beamish and the North East. She is a phenomenal leader across the UK and internationally. As a powerhouse of inspiration, values and commitment to people, it is a pleasure to work alongside her. I know she will consider this an award for all staff and volunteers at Beamish.”
Beamish Museum is an anchor institution, working closely with partners to champion the North East and create opportunity, including through health and wellbeing, learning and skills.
Rhiannon contributes her wide-ranging expertise to networks regionally, nationally and internationally. Working with national and international museum colleagues, Rhiannon is at the forefront of leading open air and independent museum practice, focused on sharing ideas, knowledge and supporting talent and progression across the sector.
She is Vice President of the Association of European Open Air Museums (AEOM), Board Member of Visit County Durham (VCD), North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC) Council Member, Executive Board Member of the National Museum Directors’ Council (NMDC), Oxford Cultural Leaders (OCL) Programme Alumni, Associate Member of the Museums Association (MA), Council Member of the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (ALVA), Member of the Association of Independent Museums (AIM), Member of the Women Leaders in Museums Network, and the SPARK Association of Independent Museums (AIM) Programme. Rhiannon is currently participating in the American Express Leadership Common Purpose Academy.
The eldest of four sisters, Rhiannon grew up in County Durham on a small-holding. Her parents and grandparents were active in the community, immersing their family in cultural traditions, heritage, museums and learning, and this honour is testament to their influences.
Rhiannon has a background in arts and culture and holds a BA in Architecture, Design and the Built Environment from Teesside University, and an MA in Museum Studies from Newcastle University, specialising in social, rural and folk life studies, and in previous roles worked as an antique dealer and museum volunteer.
Rhiannon is a higher education college governor at New College Durham, a former school governor and Director of an Academy Trust, Museums Association mentor and committee member of a local cricket club.