The National Portrait Gallery has announced the election of Ina Sarikhani Weston as its new Chair of the Board of Trustees. The renowned art patron, curator and co-founder of The Sarikhani Collection will take up the role in October 2026, succeeding Interim Chair Professor Shearer West. Widely recognised for championing Iranian art and fostering international cultural collaborations, Sarikhani Weston brings extensive experience in supporting exhibitions, research and philanthropy across leading institutions in the UK, Europe and the United States.
Ina Sarikhani Weston is the co-founder, director and curator of The Sarikhani Collectionof art from Iran, which supports loans, exhibitions, research projects, publications and philanthropy, including several academic posts. Ina is passionate about art, culture and the importance of collaboration and has developed close relationships with partner institutions in the UK, Europe and the US.
Ina is a founder member of the International Council of The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and Visiting Member of its Ancient Near Eastern Council. She is Chair of the Sarre Club, a committee of the Islamic Museum in Berlin, a Trustee at the Royal Academy of Arts, a Fellow of the Ashmolean Museum, and on the Development Board of the Wallace Collection. Ina has been a Trustee of the National Portrait Gallery since 26 January 2026.
Ina studied at Cambridge University, The School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, and the Courtauld Institute of Art. Her curatorial projects have included Epic Iran at the V&A in 2021 and Iran: Five Thousand Years of Art at the James Simon Gallery, Berlin, 2021-2; and she is a member of the Curatorial Committee of Positions at Photo London.
“I am delighted that Ina Sarikhani Weston has been appointed Chair of the Board of Trustees of the National Portrait Gallery and very much look forward to working with her as we embark on an exciting new chapter. I would also like to thank our Interim Chair, Professor Shearer West, for her dedicated service and generous stewardship of the Gallery.”
Victoria Siddall,
Director, National Portrait Gallery
“It has been a privilege to serve as a Trustee of the National Portrait Gallery for the past eight years and as Interim Chair of the Board of Trustees since October 2025. I am very pleased to welcome Ina Sarikhani Weston as the Gallery’s next Chair. Her experience, understanding and collaborative approach will support the Board’s work and help guide the Gallery through its next phase of development.”
Professor Shearer West,
Interim Chair of the Board of Trustees, National Portrait Gallery
“The National Portrait Gallery is a uniquely important museum of art and history that is of profound and vital relevance in contemporary Britain. I am honoured and delighted to have been elected as Chair and I am excited to work with my fellow Trustees, Victoria Siddall, and the Gallery’s exceptional team as we build on its recent successes and look towards a very promising future.”
Ina Sarikhani Weston,
incoming Chair of the Board of Trustees, National Portrait Gallery
