Beamish CEO receives CBE at Windsor Castle
12th November 2026
Rhiannon Hiles, Chief Executive of Beamish, The Living Museum of the North, has received a CBE from His Royal Highness The Prince of Walesat Windsor Castle.
Rhiannon was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the King’s Birthday Honours, for services to museums and to the culture and heritage of North East England.
She attended an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle yesterday (Tuesday, 10th November 2026), where she was presented with her CBE medal by The Prince of Wales.
Rhiannon said: “It was a tremendous honour and an immensely proud moment to receive the CBE at the ceremony at Windsor Castle.
“I am incredibly passionate about the North East and its people – it means such a lot to be recognised for services to museums and to the culture and heritage in the region. Leading Beamish and our brilliant team of staff and volunteers is a real privilege, and this honour is testament to everyone involved.
“Attending yesterday’s ceremony, and talking to His Royal Highness The Prince of Walesabout Beamish and our impact, was a truly wonderful experience.
“I look forward to building on our achievements with partners to champion the North East and create opportunity for our communities, with museums, heritage and culture at the heart of this work.”
Rhiannon joined Beamish, The Living Museum of the North over 30 years ago, as a volunteer and Engager in 1995, and made Beamish her career. She has been Chief Executive since 2021, leading the museum’s team of 520 staff and 400 volunteers.
Rhiannon even reflected the museum with her outfit at the investiture ceremony, wearing an Edwardian-inspired creation made by Beamish’s very own expert Costume Team.
Beamish is the North East’s most visited attraction and among the top paid-for attractions nationally, welcoming more than 815,000 visitors last year. Beamish was named Art Fund Museum of the Year 2025, the world’s largest museum prize.
The museum is a charity that preserves the region’s heritage for future generations, while also having deep connections with today’s communities, including through its health and wellbeing, learning and skills programmes.
Chris Loughran, Chair of Beamish, The Living Museum of the North, said: “It’s fantastic to see Rhiannon receiving her CBE at Windsor.
“Rhiannon is always the first to celebrate others – especially the staff and volunteers at Beamish. But yesterday was all about celebrating Rhiannon’s extraordinary dedication and commitment to the museum, the North East and the country as an inspiring leader of a world-renowned museum.”
Jenny Waldman, Director of Art Fund, said: "Beamish, The Living Museum of the North was a thoroughly deserving winner of Art Fund Museum of the Year 2025. It is marvellous to see Rhiannon’s exceptional leadership, dedication and contribution to the museum recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours 2026 with a CBE. My warmest congratulations go to Rhiannon and everyone at Beamish for this hugely deserved recognition."
