Diane Lees

Dame Diane Elizabeth Lees, (born 1964) was the first female Director-General of the Imperial War Museum. Prior to succeeding Sir Robert Crawford on 1 October 2008, she had been the director of the V&A Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green, London since 2000. She is also chair of the National Museum Directors' Council.

Lees began her career as an historic buildings researcher before moving into managing exhibitions, education and interpretation. She was involved in the rescue and relocation of a hat block manufacturer's workshop in central Manchester; the recovery and display of Henry VIII's flagship Mary Rose in Portsmouth Harbour and re-display of the Nelson Galleries at the Royal Naval Museum. and Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the 2022 New Year Honours for services to museums and cultural heritage.