Degree in French and German, New College, Oxford; degree in Philosophy, Ecole Normale Supérieure, Paris; LLB in Law, University of Edinburgh; studied 17th- and 19th-Century Art, Courtauld Institute of Art. 1981, Editor, The Burlington Magazine; 1987, Director, National Gallery. Since 2002, Director, British Museum; has devoted particular attention to developing the Museum's regional and international partnerships. Board Member, National Theatre; Chair, International Advisory Board, Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg. Worked with BBC on A History of the World in 100 objects.