Dr Andrew Herbert OBE has taken over the chairmanship of The National Museum of Computing from Andy Clark, who has stood down after six years in the role but will continue as a trustee of the museum.
Dr Herbert has spent his working life in computing, initially as an academic at the famed Cambridge University Computer Laboratory under Sir Maurice Wilkes, often regarded as one of the fathers of computing. He then worked in varied entrepreneurial computing companies developing key technologies and gaining insights of the rapidly growing digitisation of the modern world. His last full-time role was as head of Microsoft’s research laboratories across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
In 2012, Dr Herbert began his involvement with The National Museum of Computing through the EDSAC reconstruction project, which he manages. In 2016, he joined the board of trustees.
Dr Herbert said: “Chairing an organisation that aims to tell the story of computing through working machines and with such committed and dedicated volunteers and staff is an honour. As first chairman, Andy Clark with the help and support of fellow trustees skilfully steered the museum through very difficult financial times — as new and exciting galleries were developed on very modest budgets.
“There are challenges ahead, but the opportunity to further develop a museum tracing the development of one of the most important and life-changing developments in human history is hugely exciting and awe-inspiring.”
Andrew Herbert is also a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and of the BCS, and a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Information Technologists. He was awarded an OBE for his services to computing in 2010.
