Chris Michaels - Director of Digital, Communications & Technology, National Gallery

Leading digital transformation in the cultural sector. Chris sits on the National Gallery board with a remit to bring real, meaningful and lasting change to an institution which will be 200 years old in 2024. Immersive media, particularly VR, holds rich potential for the arts. He was previously Head of Digital at the British Museum, where he completed VR partnerships with Samsung, with Oculus Rift/Facebook and with Google.

Prior to that Chris was CEO at childrens' education mobile startup Mindshapes. Backed by Index Ventures and some of the world's greatest gaming entrepreneurs, Mindshapes released over 40 apps with partners including the BBC and the Jim Henson Company; winning multiple awards and delighting children and families around the world.

Chris has previously been an SVP at international media company Chorion; Digital Publisher at HarperCollins, and started professional life in advertising. He has a PHD in American Literature from the University of Bristol.