Sir Neil Cossons obituary (opens in new tab)

Science Museum director and chair of English Heritage determined to impress the value of Britain’s history, architecture and culture on politicians Neil Cossons, who has died aged 87, wore a convincing disguise as a mild, respectable, affable, slightly conventional chap. But over a long and outstanding career in the museums and heritage sector – during which he was director of the Science Museum for 14 years – civil servants, trustees and ministers who battled with him over policy and funding...