The Royal Academy of Arts has named Simon Wallis OBE as its new Secretary and Chief Executive, marking a pivotal moment for the 256-year-old institution. Wallis, currently Director of The Hepworth Wakefield, will assume the role in September 2025, succeeding Axel Rüger, who departed last autumn.
A seasoned leader with three decades of experience in the arts, Wallis brings a rare blend of curatorial vision and institutional transformation. His career spans formative roles at Tate Liverpool, Kettle’s Yard, and the ICA before shaping The Hepworth Wakefield from its inception in 2008. There, he turned a derelict riverside site into one of Britain’s most dynamic galleries—securing Art Fund Museum of the Year, expanding the collection by £30 million, and spearheading Wakefield’s cultural revival.
Wallis steps into the role as the RA navigates post-pandemic challenges and evolving debates around art’s societal role. In a statement, he emphasised the institution’s unique artist-led ethos:
“The RA is where art is made, debated, and lived. Its schools, exhibitions, and Academicians fuel creativity at a time when imagination has never been more urgent. I want to deepen its reach, ensuring it remains a beacon for artists and audiences alike.”
Rebecca Salter RA, the Academy’s President, praised his “visionary leadership”, citing his success in building The Hepworth’s reputation as a blueprint for the RA’s next chapter.
Wallis’s appointment, approved by the RA Council and HM The King, signals continuity and change. His track record—from commissioning David Chipperfield’s Hepworth building to fostering community-driven programming—aligns with the RA’s dual mission: to champion art’s highest standards while democratising its impact.
Notably, his tenure at The Hepworth proved that regional galleries could rival London’s establishment—a perspective that may reshape the RA’s national engagement.
With the RA’s Summer Exhibition a perennial highlight and its schools nurturing rising talent, Wallis faces key questions: How will he balance tradition with innovation? Can the RA expand its digital footprint without diluting its physical gravitas? One thing is sure: his blend of grassroots pragmatism and strategic ambition will be a benchmark.
Founded in 1768, the RA remains the UK’s foremost artist-led institution—independent, privately funded, and committed to art as a force for enquiry. From Turner Prize winners to radical pedagogies, its legacy thrives in studios, galleries, and public discourse.
Image: Simon Wallis at The Hepworth Wakefield. Photo © [Photographer]. Courtesy Royal Academy of Arts.