EDINBURGH.- Leading UK corporate lawyer Bruce Minto has been appointed as the new Chair of National Museums Scotland by Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop.

Bruce Minto co-founded the Edinburgh-based corporate law firm Dickson Minto WS in 1985 where he remains managing partner. He has served on the Board of Trustees of National Museums Scotland since October 2010 and led the successful fundraising for the £47m transformation of the National Museum of Scotland. He replaces outgoing Chair Sir Angus Grossart on 1 August 2012.

Bruce Minto said: "I am delighted to have the opportunity to support National Museums Scotland in building on its outstanding recent successes. The National Museum of Scotland is now recognised as one of the great National Museums of the world and a place to enjoy, celebrate and learn. With over two million visits annually, it is a venue which sits firmly at the heart of Scotland’s cultural life."

There are exciting opportunities ahead as we look at new ways to open up our collections to national and international audiences and I look forward to working with Trustees, museum staff and our many supporters whose commitment has helped us achieve such a great deal.

The National Museum of Scotland celebrated the first year of opening following its £47m transformation on Sunday 29 July. The public response to the redeveloped museum has been outstanding with over 2.3 million visitors flocking through the doors. Last week the Heritage Lottery Fund approved a first stage award for a grant of £4.85 million towards a £11.85 million project which will enable the development of eight new galleries showcasing internationally important Science and Technology and European Art and Design collections.

The group of National Museums attract almost 3 million visitors annually and there are over one million visits to the website. The organisation works across Scotland to support the museum sector and deliver outreach projects. International partnerships through loans, exhibitions and research are an area of increasing focus.

Bruce has a keen interest in cultural matters in Scotland, lives in Edinburgh and is married with five children.