Industry News
Bank of England Governor at Beamish Museum for business leaders’ event
The Governor of the Bank of England visited Beamish, The Living Museum of the North today (Wednesday, 8th October 2025) for an event attended by the region’s business leaders.
During his visit to the County Durham museum, Andrew Bailey delivered a presentation on the outlook for the UK economy to an audience of representatives of businesses and other organisations from across the North East.
Mr Bailey met Beamish’s CEO Rhiannon Hiles and Chair Chris Loughran during a tour of the award-winning museum, and heard more about its regional and national contribution to the economy, tourism and culture.
Beamish is an anchor regional institution – it is the North East’s most visited attraction, and among the top paid-for attractions nationally, and was awarded Art Fund Museum of the Year 2025, the world’s largest museum prize.
Governor Andrew Bailey said: “It’s been a pleasure to visit Beamish today and to meet a wide range of business leaders from across the North East.
“Beamish is not only a remarkable museum, but a vital regional institution that contributes significantly to the local economy, tourism and cultural heritage.
“I was delighted to share the Bank’s outlook on the UK economy and to hear directly from organisations driving growth and innovation in this part of the country.”
Rhiannon Hiles, Beamish’s Chief Executive, said: “We were pleased to welcome the Governor of the Bank of England to the museum for this event, which brought together business leaders and organisations from around the region.
“As an anchor institution, Beamish makes a significant contribution to the region and its economy, we’re the North East’s most visited attraction and a major local employer. We work with partners across the region to champion the North East and create opportunity, and we have strong community connections, including through our innovative work in health and wellbeing, learning and inclusivity.
“As an independent museum and charity, we are grateful to our partners and businesses who support our work to continue making a real difference to our communities.”
Beamish welcomed 838,632 visitors in 2024 (up five per cent), who come from across the region, UK and world. The open air museum, which brings to life the everyday history of the North East from the 1820s to 1950s, has 530 staff and 370 volunteers.
Beamish, which has a world-renowned collection of 2.5 million objects and photographs, is a centre of open air museum excellence, contributing to networks nationally and internationally.
The museum’s Remaking Beamish project, the biggest capital development in its 55-year history, saw the addition of a 1950s Town, 1950s Farm and expansion of the Georgian landscape, including a tavern, pottery and overnight accommodation.
Beamish is now embarking on its exciting future strategy, which will set out an ambitious vision for the long-term development of the museum and its work, including broadening stories, enhancing visitor experience, expanding educational initiatives and deepening community engagement.