Manchester Jewish Museum announces new chief executive
Gemma Meek to start after maternity leave, with industry stalwart Sue Shave serving in the interim
The Manchester Jewish Museum has announced Gemma Meek as the new chief executive of the organisation, with the institution’s new chief describing how she is looking forward to “sharing the diverse Jewish stories of Manchester” with all of the city’s communities.
The incoming chief executive, who will officially take the reigns once she returns from maternity leave, succeeds Gareth Redston, who left the Cheetham Hill-based museum in May after 10 years in the role.
Meek has served as the institution’s programmes manager since 2021, when the museum re-opened after a £6 million re-development project. She has also been its interim chief executive since May 2025.
Alongside her new position, she will continue in her role as chair of Cheetham Cultural Festival.
Richard Chapman, chair of the board of trustees, said Meek “has already made her mark on the museum in her previous roles, and we look forward to her taking us to even greater heights in the future.”
Meek said she felt “privileged to be part of a team who has great care for sharing the diverse Jewish stories of Manchester, highlighting how they are embedded in the history of our city” adding that she feels “passionate about sharing these stories with all our communities of Manchester, making conversational and creative moments that allow our diverse audiences to come together and explore their commonalities and differences.”
During the rest of Meek’s maternity leave, the museum has appointed Sue Shave as an interim chief executive. A museum professional for 35 years, Shave has worked as a director at venues including The Jewish Museum London, Discover Bucks Museum, Chiltern Open Air Museum, Bucks and Coldharbour Mill, Devon.
Shave praised: “the inclusive mission of the Museum, bringing people together to experience and explore how we are different through Jewish collections and culture.”
Manchester Jewish Museum is housed in a former synagogue, built in 1874.
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