AHRC Council member
Dr Bridget McConnell CBE is a member of the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Council.
Bridget was formerly Chief Executive of Glasgow Life from 2007 until 2022. Glasgow Life is the charity which helps Glasgow’s diverse communities experience the life-changing benefits of participating in culture and sport at all levels, from grass roots to world-class.
Innovative programmes and events also bring millions of visitors to Glasgow, presenting the city on an international stage.
Bridget was instrumental in bringing the 2014 Commonwealth Games to Glasgow as well as overseeing the delivery of the 2018 European Championships.
She also oversaw:
- the £30 million refurbishment of Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
- the opening of the £74 million Riverside Museum and the £113 million Emirates Arena
- the £35 million refurbishment of the Kelvin Hall as a world-class centre for heritage, learning, culture and sport
- the c£70 million refurbishment and redisplay of the Burrell Collection which opened in March 2022
A graduate of the University of St Andrews, she then gained her Masters and Doctorate of Education at Stirling University, Bridget is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and the Royal Society of Edinburgh.
She currently sits on the boards of The Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland, the National Museums of Scotland, Scottish Power Renewables Ltd., and chairs Glasgow University’s Hunterian Museum.
Bridget holds honorary doctorates from the Universities of St Andrews, Aberdeen, Glasgow and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. She was awarded CBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours List for Services to Culture (2015).
Last updated: 14 March 2024