British Motor Museum managing director Jeff Coope, who has been at the charity for more than 20 years, is retiring.

Automotive engineer Coope joined the charity in 2002 as its director of operations and has been its managing director for the last five years.

“I am delighted to have served as director of operations and managing director and have enjoyed taking the Trust and the Museum to a new level,” said Coope.

“During my time, we have increased our appeal to visitors, enthusiasts and institutions with new products, events and facilities and I am pleased to leave the Museum with a very bright future ahead of it.”

Recruitment is now underway to appoint a chief executive to replace Coope. In the interim the charity will be led by its finance director Adrian Managhan.

The charity’s chair Joel Kordan added: “On behalf of the Trust, I would like to thank Jeff for his exemplary 23 years of service at the Museum.

“What a legacy - he’ll be a hard act to follow! We wish Jeff all the very best in his retirement which will no doubt include a great deal more time spent with his passions of sports cars, motorbikes and sailing.”

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