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Margaret (Maggie) Mary Appleton (born 21 August 1965) English Museum Director. She has been the Chief Executive officer of the RAF Museum since 2015.

Early Life
Margaret (Maggie) was born in Wyndham and brought up in Kirkham, Lancashire. Her father died when she was six leaving Maggie and her sister to be brought up by their mother who suffered episodes of mental illness.

Education and Early Career
As a girl she attended Willow Road Catholic Primary School. Her secondary education took place at Lark Hill Newman College. After taking A levels her mother asked her not to go to university so Appleton became a trainee manager at Sainsbury's supermarket. Her old history teacher, Mrs MacDonald, kept in touch and encouraged Appleton to continue her education. In 1984 she accepted a place at Liverpool University where she studied Medieval and Modern History. After graduating she worked as a medical sales rep and volunteered at Peterborough Museum. Appleton completed a MSc in Heritage Management from Birmingham University's Ironbridge Institute.

Museum Career
Appleton began her career in museums at the Royal Armouries, when it was based at the Tower of London. In 1991 she moved to work at Stevenage Museum and was there for 12 years. She left in 2003 to become the Director of Museums for Luton Museum Service. While there she oversaw a major renovation of Stockwood Discovery Centre. In 2008 she set up the Culture Trust, Luton an independent charity and became its first Chief Executive. She was appointed at the CEO of the RAF Museum in October 2014 and took up the post in January 2015. As the CEO she lead the Museum's £26M transformation to mark the centenary of the Royal Air Force in 2018. She served as the President of the Museums Association between 2018 and 2021.

Awards
Appleton was awarded an MBE for services to museums and heritage in 2011. She is an honorary graduate of the University of Middlesex.

Personal Life
Appleton is married with two grown up sons.