A former arts council chairwoman and fashion guru will lead the Bermuda National Gallery’s team.

Jennifer Phillips, who chaired the Bermuda Arts Council, succeeds Peter Lapsley as the gallery’s new executive director at the end of the month, and Eve Godet Thomas, the organisation’s former director of programming and engagement, has been appointed its director of exhibitions.

Through her previous role as the BNG’s office administrator, which she held since 2015, Ms Philips oversaw the organisation’s membership and volunteer programmes, as well as the use of the space for private events.

Ms Phillips, a trained dancer, has a degree in international business and was appointed to the Bermuda Tourism Authority’s board of directors in May last year.

She said: “During Mr Lapsley’s tenure, BNG has consistently presented a wide array of engaging exhibitions and programming.

“I look forward to continuing the gallery’s positive trajectory, further solidifying the important role this museum plays in our community.”

Having studied at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design and University College London, Ms Thomas worked as a reporter and stylist on The Times newspaper’s fashion desk for six years.

A member of the Kaleidoscope Arts Foundation’s board of trustees, Ms Thomas joined the gallery’s team in 2019 and has curated three exhibits that are on display there.

She said: “It has been an absolute pleasure to work with Mr Lapsley and our designer, Linda Weinrob, of Studio Fluent, on expanding the scope of BNG exhibitions.

"While I am incredibly sad to be saying goodbye to Peter, I look forward to an exciting roster of fall exhibitions coming up.”

Some of these exhibitions include Threads Unravelling, by Gherdai Hassell, which will debut in September and author Elizabeth Mulderig’s Bermuda Wonderland, which will open in October.

Describing his five years leading the gallery as “life-changing”, Mr Lapsley added: “I can safely say that these two Bermudians bring a wealth of experience in arts and culture and a dedication to sharing our island stories with an honesty and fidelity for which BNG is known, and which our community deserves.

“With these two amazing professionals in place, the Bermuda National Gallery has a great future ahead and I know that they will do justice to Bermuda’s arts and artists.”