Design Museum Chief Confirmed as Chair of Chiswick House Trustees

Lycia Lobo's role as head of the charity made permanent

Lycia Lobo. Picture: Chiswick House and Gardens Trust

May 6, 2026

Chiswick House & Gardens Trust has appointed Chiswick resident Lycia Lobo as the permanent new Chair of its Board of Trustees, strengthening the leadership of the charity responsible for managing the historic 65-acre estate. Her appointment was confirmed at the Trust’s March board meeting, following several years of service as a trustee and a period as acting Chair since summer 2025. The appointment fills a vacancy in the permanent role which had existed since last year when Sian Alexander stepped down.

Ms Lobo brings more than 25 years of senior experience across the heritage, cultural and high-street sectors. She is currently Chief Operating Officer at the Design Museum, where she oversees commercial activity, visitor services, technology, estates and capital projects. Her previous roles include senior positions at English Heritage, the V&A and Signet, and she chairs the trading boards of the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre and Queer Britain Museum. She also serves as a non-executive director for the Opportunity Kensington Business Improvement District.

Her four-year term as Chair has been approved by both Hounslow Council and English Heritage, the two bodies on whose behalf the Trust operates the Grade I-listed house and its internationally significant gardens.

Speaking about her appointment, she said she was honoured to take on the role at a place she knows well.

“As a local resident, I have a deep appreciation of how important Chiswick House & Gardens is to our communities,” she said. “I am greatly looking forward to continuing to work with the Board, and with the dedicated staff team led by Xanthe Arvanitakis, as together we welcome more people than ever to this special, inspiring, and historic place.”

Her appointment comes at a moment of renewed momentum for the Trust, following the success of its recent crowdfunding appeal, which raised £201,025 to complete three new community spaces opening later this year. The new Learning Hub — including the Clore Learning Space — and the Foyle Learning Yard will enable the Trust to welcome ten times as many schoolchildren and twice as many charity partners to the gardens, helping young people connect with nature and learn where food comes from. A new Kitchen Garden Hub will also provide much-needed facilities for volunteers.