And finally... HELEN PERSSON SWAIN

Curator/Keeper • The Fan Museum

Helen Persson Swain is a senior museum professional with 25 years’ international experience, board member of several textile organisations and finishing her PhD at University of Glasgow, researching eighteenth-century Chinese painted silks.

What was your first job and what was the pay packet?

My very first job was delivering newspapers two days a week before going to school. The pay was not great, but I saved and went to London.

What would you do with your last pound?

Probably splash out on a pair of shoes, instead of buying food…

What is the biggest challenge facing your business?

Funding shortfalls and navigating the need for transformation to meet shifting audience expectations.

If you were Prime Minister, what would be your first decision?

Take immediate action to mitigate the effects of climate change.

If you could do another job what would it be?

Palaeontologist.

What book are you currently reading?

“The Brother Gardeners: Botany, Empire and the Birth of an Obsession” by Andrea Wulf.