Nicholas Cullinan, aged 46, has been named the new director of the British Museum in London.

He succeeds interim director Sir Mark Jones, following the resignation of the prior director amid an alleged theft scandal involving over 1,800 artifacts.

The British Museum is engaged in legal action against a former curator concerning the missing items.

Cullinan will face challenges including the controversy surrounding the possession of historical items such as the Parthenon Marbles.

His tenure will involve a significant 10-year initiative to update the museum infrastructure and reorganize the presentation of its collections.

Cullinan is known for his diverse interests, including classical music, Michael Jackson, and the film 'Mean Girls'.

Effective fundraising is expected to be a key part of Cullinan's role to support the museum's modernization efforts.