text: Director of the British Museum Neil MacGregor has announced he is stepping down from the job at the end of the year. Mr MacGregor, 68, who has been at the helm of the museum since 2002, said it was 'a difficult thing' to decide to leave. He previously ran the National Gallery and has also worked as a broadcaster - most notably on his Radio 4 series A History Of The World In 100 Objects which was inspired by the museum's collection. Neil MacGregor, 68, pictured at the British Museum, which he has lead since 2002, said it was 'a difficult thing' to decide to leave after 13 years . Mr MacGregor said last night: 'Working with this collection and, above all, with the colleagues here has been the greatest privilege of my professional life. 'But I've decided that now is the time to retire from full-time employment and the end of this year seems a good time to go. 'The new building has been completed, so we at last have proper exhibition space, new conservation and scientific facilities, and first-class accommodation for our growing research activities. 'We have built strong partnerships with fellow museums across the UK, and are rapidly expanding our programme of loans and training around the world. 'The museum is now ready to embark on a new phase - deploying the collection to present different histories of the world. The museum in Great Russell Street is 'now ready to embark on a new phase - deploying the collection to present different histories of the world', according to its outgoing head . Neil MacGregor's A History of the World in 100 Objects book and Radio 4 series were wildly popular and were inspired by the collection at the British Museum . 'It is an exhilarating prospect, and it will start with the new Islamic galleries and with plans for the future of the Old Reading Room.' The museum's chairman Sir Richard Lambert said Mr MacGregor had done an 'outstanding' job. He said: 'The trustees are hugely grateful for everything he has done to bring the collection to life, and to tell its many different stories. We respect his decision to move on, and want to support him in his new projects. 'We are now starting the process of looking for someone to take on what will be one of the best and most challenging jobs of its kind in the world. 'The museum is in great shape, and we are fortunate to have an outstanding team in place to lead its activities and help build its future with the new director. 'The collection of the British Museum is in a real sense the memory of mankind and the task is to present it in the best possible way in and beyond Bloomsbury for the benefit of present and future generations.' The museum, in Bloomsbury, central London, received 6.7 million visitors in 2014/15 and recent exhibitions have looked at life in China, Afghanistan, and ancient Rome.
target: Neil MacGregor to leave job he has held since 2002 at the end of the year .
  Sixty-eight-year-old said it was 'a difficult thing' to finally decide to leave .
  Previously ran the National Gallery and has also worked as a broadcaster .
  History Of The World In 100 Objects series inspired by museum collection .