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James Dyson quits Design Museum

London SE1 website team

Inventor and entrepreneur James Dyson has resigned as chairman of the Design Museum at Butler's Wharf.

Dyson says he took the decision because he believed that the museum was "no longer true to its original vision" set out by founder Sir Terence Conran.

He accused the museum of becoming a "style showcase" and was failing to rekindle public interest in technology. A statement released on behalf of Mr Dyson said: "The Design Museum was founded to herald the manufactured object and the industrial design process.


"Today, without Sir Terence Conran's curatorial guide, James Dyson believes the balance has shifted to iconography and style. It is no longer true to its original vision.


"By failing to give a lead to the public on the difference between design as styling and design as intelligent problem solving he believes the museum is perhaps neglecting its purpose.


"Therefore, while he wishes The Design Museum every success, he feels his own interests and experience are no longer applicable to the museum in its current guise."

Design Museum director Alice Rawsthorn said: "James Dyson has made a major contribution to the success of the Design Museum as chairman over the past five years.

"We are very grateful to him for leading the museum during this time and thank him for his support and generosity over many years. We wish him every success in his new project."

Rawsthorn said the process of appointing a new chairman would start later this month.

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