Governance and Management

Sir John Soane’s Museum is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport through a three-year funding agreement. We are a registered charity (no. 313609).

The Museum is governed by a Board of Trustees in accordance with the Sir John Soane’s Museum Order (1969), which incorporates the provisions of Sir John Soane’s original Act of Parliament of 1833 by which the Museum was established.

The Trustees are responsible for the general management and control of the Museum and for the appointment of the Director.

The Director is the Accounting Officer for the purposes of reporting to Government and has delegated responsibility for the general administration of the Museum.

The Museum's Governance policies regulate the proceedings of the Board and facilitate the exercise of its functions in pursuit of the Museum's planned objectives.

A full range of policies covering all areas of the Museum’s work has been adopted by its Board of Trustees. These policies are regularly updated in line with new legislation and developments in best practice.

Annual Review TOP

Each year we publish a full-colour, beautifully illustrated Annual Review, with cultural voices exploring the Soane and its programmes.

2020-21 A Year of Change

2019-20 Looking Forward

2018-19 A Contemporary Conversation

2017-18 Past Perspectives, Future Practice

2016-17 A New View

2015-16 Principles and Progress

Annual Reports TOP

Our Annual Reports and accounts give details of the Museum’s activities and how our resources are spent. 

Freedom of Information TOP

We abide by the Freedom of Information Act. For more information on Freedom of Information and making a Freedom of Information request, please visit our Freedom of Information Publication scheme.

Management, Governance and Policy Documents TOP

Sir John Soane's Museum Management and Governance

Sir John Soane's Museum Order, 1969

Sir John Soanes Museum Management Agreement with DCMS

Trustees

Sir John Soane's Museum Policies

Acquisitions and Disposals (Collections Management) Policy

Art Spoliation Statement
On request from admin@soane.org.uk

CCTV Policy
On request from admin@soane.org.uk

Complaints Policy

Due Diligence Policy for the Acceptance of Donations
On application from admin@soane.org.uk

Equality and Diversity policy
On application from admin@soane.org.uk

Fire Safety policy 
On application from admin@soane.org.uk

Health and Safety Policy
On application from admin@soane.org.uk

Loans policy

Safeguarding children and vulnerable adults policy
Available on request from admin@soane.org.uk

Fraud, Bribery and corruption prevention policy
On application from admin@soane.org.uk

Information risk policy
On application from admin@soane.org.uk

Privacy Notice

Volunteers policy document
Available on application from admin@soane.org.uk

Whistleblowing policy

Complaints policy TOP

We welcome feedback and comments, positive or negative, regarding our staff, service and offer.

The Museum is an unique space and we have some policies regarding bags, phones, cameras, lack of interpretation and group visits which you can find details of here, this should help to explain some of the unusual policies that we receive some comments and questions on. 

If you feel strongly about an aspect of your visit or the service you have received, then your complaint can be addressed to the Museum in various ways.

If you are in the Museum please ask to speak to the Duty Manager who will receive and record the complaint in person, attempting to resolve it there and then. If you are not satisfied with this response then you should call, write or email to the Office Manager so the complaint can be directed to the appropriate member of the Senior Management Team. Contact details are below.

If you wish to make a complaint after your visit then this can be made by phone or email to the Office Manager , we will acknowledge your complaint within 1 working day and we pledge to respond to you in writing, ideally via email, within 14 working days.

All written complaints received will be replied to in writing within 14 working days.

All complaints will be logged and shared with Trustees on an annual basis so we can monitor service standards and modify policies where appropriate.

Contact details:

Telephone: + 44 (0) 20 7405 2107

Email: admin@soane.org.uk 

Post: 

Sir John Soane’s Museum
13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields
London WC2A 3BP

We will always strive to treat visitors courteously and professionally and in return we expect visitors to be patient and considerate. We will not tolerate any form of abuse to any member of staff or volunteer. Any visitor not adhering to these rules will be asked to leave the building. 

Transparency Agenda TOP

In response to the Government’s commitment to greater transparency of public information, we publish all expenditure over £25,000, which you will find below.

Inclusion, Diversity, Equality and Access TOP

Sir John Soane’s Museum was established by its founder for everyone to enjoy and to be inspired by the design, architecture, and collection of his extraordinary house. The Museum has long been a free resource for everyone, just as Soane intended, and we have a responsibility to ensure it remains accessible and engaging for all.

We are committed to examining ourselves as an institution and where we can do better, be it our culture, how the house and collection resonates with visitors and the inclusivity of our offering.

We have formed a working group for Inclusion Diversity Equality and Access (IDEA) who are reviewing current practices in order to drive new policy and strategy and create a timeframe for delivery of key actions and outcomes.

Download the PDF below for further details on the remit of the Working Group.