London event and conference venue, The Barbican, has recently made two appointments, naming Philippa Simpson as the new Director for Buildings and Renewal and Beau Vigushin as the Director for Audiences. Their roles commence in the spring of this year, following an exhaustive international recruitment effort. The Barbican’s aim was to identify exceptional individuals capable of complementing the current team and leading the centre into its next phase. These appointments signify a step in the Barbican’s ongoing transformation, which includes upgrading its infrastructure to better support its innovative events and programs.

Philippa Simpson, previously the Director of Design, Estate, and Public Programme at the Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A), brings extensive experience in overseeing major capital projects, exhibitions, and heritage conservation. She will lead the Barbican’s ambitious Renewal Programme, aimed at reimagining the center as a hub for arts, culture, and conferences. Her vision includes revitalizing existing spaces and introducing new creative and commercial uses without expanding the building’s footprint.

Beau Vigushin brings over 20 years of experience in audience engagement, having served as the Executive Director of Customer Experience at Arts Centre Melbourne. His focus will be on enhancing the visitor experience through innovative strategies and technology. Beau’s role includes strengthening relationships with current visitors while attracting new audiences to the Barbican’s diverse program offerings.

Barbican CEO Claire Spencer expressed delight at the appointments, emphasizing the importance of Simpson and Vigushin’s experience in supporting the Barbican’s ambitious plans. Their recruitment reflects the center’s commitment to becoming a more inclusive and equitable space for artists, audiences, and communities.