Museum of Science and Industry

The new director of (MOSI) Museum of Science & Industry, Manchester has steamed into post today, with a ride on the Museum’s replica 1830 Planet steam train. Steve Davies MBE, who has a special interest in railway and industrial heritage, has been selected for his impressive leadership skills, to help drive forward MOSI’s future development.

Steve brings a track record of strong leadership and a network of high profile contacts, including Government Ministers. He has a military background, most recently as the Chief of Staff Headquarters 2^nd Division, based in Edinburgh. His responsibilities extended to around 250 central staff and some 20,000 troops.

Steve's distinguished military career covers tours of duty in Northern Ireland, Canada, Norway, West Germany and Sarajevo, and Advisor to the Sierra Leone Ministry of Defence. He was awarded the MBE for his work in Sarajevo, and the Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service (QCVS).

During his spare time in Sierra Leone Steve established the Sierra Leone National Railway Museum. He has strong links with the North West and was an original member of the Museum's Liverpool Road Station Society.

Steve has maintained his MOSI Friends membership since the museum opened, and he is an alumnus of the Manchester Business School.

Steve Davies said: "I've had close links with the Museum since it first opened in 1983, and I can honestly say this is my ideal job. MOSI is already a highly respected Museum in the North West and throughout Britain, but it has ambitious plans to develop further. The Revolution MOSI project, which was launched last year, aims to develop MOSI into an internationally renowned visitor attraction with must-see collection items and buildings, and I'm proud to be joining at such an exciting time for the Museum."

He added: "MOSI has worked phenomenally hard in the last few years to boost visitor numbers and create successful exhibitions and events. I'm delighted to have been chosen to lead such a dynamic and skilled team of people. I aim to maintain MOSI's high standards as a visitor attraction, and to build on them to achieve the Museum's ambitious future goals."

Steve Davies is from Darwen, Lancashire, and is married to Ruth who is originally from Preston. He has two children, Harry (19) and Katie (17).

MOSI's replica Planet steam train runs at weekends and selected holidays (please check website for details). Planet was originally designed by George Stephenson, and ran on the Liverpool & Manchester railway, from 1830 to 1840. MOSI is based at the former Liverpool Road station, the Manchester terminus of this railway, opened in 1830. The site is the oldest surviving passenger railway station in the world.

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