[1] Timothy Potts was educated at the University of Sydney (BA Hons) and holds a DPhil in Near Eastern art and archaeology from the University of Oxford, where he was a research lecturer and British Academy Research Fellow in Near Eastern Archaeology and Art at Christ Church, Oxford (1985–90).

His works in the field include: In 2007, Duncan Robinson (now CBE) retired, Potts took over as the Fitzwilliam Museum's 12th Director.

[9] During his time at the Fitzwilliam (2007–12), Potts served as Chairman of the Art Committee, with Mr Donald Hearn as Bursar, at Clare College, Cambridge[10] Potts also directed studies in the History of Art for Clare College.

Between his academic and museum positions, Potts had a corporate career with Lehman Brothers where he was Senior Vice President of the Media and Communications Group, Investment Banking Department, (New York and London) from 1990 to 1994.

[citation needed] During Potts' tenure as director of the Kimbell Art Museum he added many pieces of art to the Kimbell's permanent collection: in sculpture, St John the Baptist by Michelozzo, Virgin and Child by Donatello, Relief Head of Christ attributed to Tullio Lombardo, Isabella d’Este by Gian Cristoforo Romano, Late Gothic Silver-Gilt Virgin and Child (anonymous), and Modello for the Fountain of the Moor by Bernini; in paintings, The Judgment of Paris by Lucas Cranach the Elder, and A Dentist by Candlelight by Gerrit Dou; in antiquities, Head of an Athlete (Apoxyomenos) after Lysippos, and The Death of Pentheus by Douris; in Precolumbian art, 5th-century Maya Jade Belt Ornament, and Codex-Style Cup showing Scribal Training by the "Princeton Painter"; and in Asian art, Bamboo and Rocks by Tan Zhirui.