Sharon Ament

Sharon Ament joined the Museum of London as Director in September 2012 to steer the world’s leading city museum in the next phase of its development to reflect the energy and dynamism of London itself.

Sharon was previously Director of Public Engagement at the Natural History Museum, responsible for all of its interface with the public. She had a wide remit that encompassed all business and visitor facing elements of a modern museum, including the virtual and physical museum experience. She was responsible for building income, visitor numbers and engagement internationally. Through her fundraising remit she oversaw the NHM’s largest capital campaign to build the Darwin Centre and she oversaw the development of its public spaces. Sharon worked to create transformational experiences and build the reach and impact of the Natural History Museum as one of the world’s premier institutions dedicated to research on the natural world. Today the Natural History Museum has increased the number of people engaging with it to over 20 million. Sharon contributed significantly towards the success of the Natural History Museum, overseeing a team responsible for generating substantial annual income.

Sharon sits on the International Panel of the ArtScience Museum in Singapore. She is also former chair of the Exhibition Road Cultural Group, which represents 17 major cultural organisations, and was Vice President of Ecsite, the European Network for Science Centres and Museums. Until recently Sharon was a trustee of the Wildscreen Trust and the International Wildlife Film Festival.

Sharon lives in East Dulwich close to where she was born in Peckham, South East London. She grew up in both the country (Thetford, Norfolk) and the city (Liverpool). Sharon was the first person in her family to go to university. She cites the impact of Liverpool City Museum, the Walker Art Gallery and the Picton Library as being formative for her in her own learning in her early years. Sharon took History of Art at Leeds University and graduated in 1985. In her free time Sharon enjoys food, gardening and travel as well as having a passion for cycling, walking and art. Sharon is currently learning French and holds an HGV licence.