Rhiannon Hiles

Rhiannon Hiles is Chief Executive of Beamish, The Living Museum of the North.

Rhiannon leads the talented team of staff and volunteers, and is responsible for strategic development and operations at the award-winning County Durham open air museum, which brings the region’s history to life.

With over 30 years’ experience in the culture sector, Rhiannon has extensive curatorial, commercial, operational and development expertise, combined with a great passion for museums, heritage and the North East.

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.

Rhiannon has a background in architectural design history and an MA in Museum Studies and her professional experience includes the prestigious Oxford Cultural Leaders Programme, appointment to the board of the Association of European Open Air Museums, and being an active member of the National Museums Directors’ Council, Museums Association, Association of Leading Visitor Attractions, and the Association of Independent Museums. She is also a Museums Association mentor and Director of a local Learning Trust.