Maria Balshaw Appointed Deputy Chair Designate of UAL Court of Governors

Maria Balshaw CBE, who previously served as the Director of Tate, has been named Deputy Chair Designate of the University of the Arts London's Court of Governors, starting in September 2026. She will be joining new Independent Governors Joe Phelan, Professor Stuart Corbridge FRGS, and Suzi Brennan. Born in Birmingham in 1970, Balshaw earned her PhD in 1996 after studying at the University of Liverpool and the University of Sussex. She directed Creative Partnerships in Birmingham, took the helm at The Whitworth in 2006, and led Manchester City Galleries. In 2017, she made history as the first female director of Tate, overseeing all four locations. Balshaw announced her resignation from Tate in late 2025 and officially left in spring 2026. UAL noted that these appointments align with its new strategy.