The Royal Academy of Arts, London, has appointed Simon Wallis as secretary and chief executive. He will take over from Axel Rüger, who announced his departure in October to become the Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen director at the Frick Collection, New York.
Wallis joins the Royal Academy from his current role as director of the Hepworth Wakefield. He was previously director of the Chisenhale Gallery, London; senior exhibitions organiser at the ICA, London; curator at Tate Liverpool and curator at Kettle’s Yard, Cambridge.
“I am looking forward to working closely with the Royal Academicians and staff and I am delighted to be able to contribute to furthering the RA’s essential charitable work where all our imaginations are nurtured, developed and expanded at a time when we need it most”, Wallis said of his appointment.
He will take over from the outgoing Rüger in September 2025.
