Culture in Crisis – Supporting the World’s Cultural Heritage and Communities that Suffer Cultural Loss through Conflict

Vernon Rapley is the Director of Cultural Heritage Protection and Security at the Victoria & Albert Museum where he founded and directs the global Culture in Crisis Programme. He is the Chair of the International Council of Museums Committee for Museum Security, a Special Advisor for the UK Government’s Cultural Heritage Protection Fund, Chair of the National Museum Security Group and the Security of Major Museums Europe Group. Before joining the V&A in 2010, Vernon served as a Scotland Yard Detective for 24 years; the last ten years spent as the head of the Art & Antiques Unit. He was a member of The Interpol Tracking Task Force (Iraq) and represented UK Law Enforcement on International initiatives to combat the illicit trade of cultural goods. He has written and published on various aspects of cultural heritage protection and was elected a Fellow of Society of Antiquaries in 2022.