Every so often, circumstances conspire to surprise you and deliver a far better outcome than expected. In the US, they’d say, “When life...

How has the pandemic shaped our workforce, our audiences—and perhaps even our values? It’s hard to imagine living through a...

A Review of the Panacea Museum in Bedford.

Is there a good way of closing a museum?

What role do our car parks play in welcoming our visitors, improving access and generating revenue?

Wake the Tiger in Bristol promotes itself as the UK’s first “Amazement Park”. It’s not a museum. It’s not a heritage site. In fact, you...

Websites are often our primary access point, the place where we lay out our stall to the world and try to present our best side. Yet, it’s also one of the first things heritage professionals tend to apologise for. Why is it that so few of us are satisfied with our websites, even when they’re brand new? This is Heritage Thinking Differently logging on. The Nature of the Beast Some museums and heritage sites have excellent websites. Many don’t. But even among the better ones, t

I’m a huge fan of contemporary sculpture parks and trails. I believe they can enhance museums and heritage sites, enrich the visitor experience, and encourage people to linger, helping them connect with a place and its surroundings. But few things are more depressing than a poorly conceived trail of neglected sculptures in an overgrown landscape. This is Heritage Thinking Differently, exploring both the pitfalls and the possibilities of well-planned sculpture trails. Yorkshir

Why do museums and heritage sites so often misunderstand online retail? With an ever-growing number of organisations competing for a shrinking pool of funding, it’s more important than ever to strengthen our organic income streams. This allows us to invest more meaningfully in our core functions and audiences. This is Heritage Thinking Differently , heading online in search of inspiration. It’s not surprising that many sites fail to make the most of their online retail potent

Let me start by saying that I know many museums already run exemplary recruitment processes—structured, thoughtful, and fair. If that’s your institution, I’m genuinely pleased for you. This blog is aimed more at those still finding their way, those stuck in outdated habits, with the hope that a little reflection might encourage the adoption of better practices. I was listening recently to Diary of a CEO , the podcast by Stephen Bartlett. While it's received fair criticism in

With so many organisations competing for the same limited pots of funding, finding a way to gain an edge is essential. One way to do this is through Strategic Visioning, a process that can bring clarity, define your project, strengthen stakeholder support and, crucially, build funder confidence in your organisation and your plans. This is Heritage Thinking Differently , here to help you succeed. Understanding the Funder’s Perspective In my experience, funders usually want to

Ageism within the museum sector is a subject that warrants serious discussion, yet it remains largely unaddressed. It intersects with broader issues such as class, race, gender, and unconscious bias, making it a complex and sensitive topic. My intention here is not to cast blame for any past mistakes, but to encourage constructive dialogue and explore potential solutions. Museums Thinking Differently seeks to challenge assumptions, and ageism in the workforce is an issue that

How can personalising the act of giving build stronger relationships with our audiences? With so many museums and heritage organisations vying for financial support, creativity is more important than ever. This is Heritage Thinking Differently exploring how generosity can leave a personal legacy. Walk of Art, Yorkshire Sculpture Park Museums and heritage sites occupy a cherished place in British society. There’s a general consensus that they are worth supporting, many people

This is the second in an occasional series of case studies drawn from my professional experiences. The first can also be found on my blog, but this particular story centres on a marketing campaign that, to my surprise, achieved global reach. I hope it serves as an instructive example of how information can be strategically controlled to maximise exposure and impact. The episode took place during my time as Executive Director of Creswell Crags Museum and Archaeological Park, a

What could be more straightforward than a museum shop? The formula is well established: place it by the exit, stock it with souvenirs, and watch the income roll in. Visitors enjoy buying mementos bearing the museum’s name, and we’re happy to oblige. If it works, why change it? But perhaps it’s time we did. What harm is there in imagining something different? This is Heritage Thinking Differently, heading for the till. Museum of American Art - Museum Shop - Texas A Century of

Social media has been a tremendous asset to museums and heritage sites. I remember how substantial marketing budgets used to be, and how unreliable the outcomes often were, before social media allowed us to speak directly with our users and target new audiences with precision. But for such a relatively young tool, have we misunderstood its potential? This is Heritage Thinking Differently, going online. To be clear: I don’t have a background in social media marketing. Much of

We all work in partnership with other sites, it's best practice. But could formalising these relationships bring greater efficiency savings and resilience? As many sites face financial strain or even closure, there’s increasing pressure to find innovative ways to pool resources, cut costs and boost sustainability. Yet few are exploring alternative operational models in a structured, strategic way. This is Heritage Thinking Differently, looking at how formal partnership agreem

When you are part of a World Heritage Site and located alongside one of the UK's most popular National Parks, and the Matlock Bath attractions, in a village well served with public transport, one might assume that Masson Mills is blessed with every advantage. Yet my visit revealed a heritage site very much in a state of transition, striving to find its place within a busy and competitive marketplace. There’s ‘trouble at mill’, and Heritage Thinking Differently is ready to rol

We live in an age where brands permeate every aspect of our lives. Brand loyalty and values are deeply embedded in our choices, often subconsciously. Brand development is now a finely honed art, and museums and heritage sites are not exempt. In fact, even rejecting the concept of branding conveys something about who you are and who you’re for. In this piece from Heritage Thinking Differently, we explore the relationship between audience and brand, and why this is crucial to e

Good governance is about more than just passion and commitment. I’ve had the privilege of working with many museum Boards made up of people who care deeply about their organisations, but lasting success in governance takes more than goodwill alone. It requires strategic thinking, flexibility, and the ability to bring together the right people to meet the challenges of the moment. This is Heritage Thinking Differently, and today we’re exploring how good governance is a dynamic

At Heritage Thinking Differently, we’re pouring another coffee, ordering dessert, and turning our attention to a subject that’s often overlooked in strategic conversations: the humble museum or heritage café. While the quality and character of cafés vary as widely as the sites themselves, most serve more than just refreshments, they underpin everything from visitor experience to income generation. This blog explores the roles, realities, and overlooked potential of these spac

In today’s Heritage Thinking Differently blog, I reflect on a vital yet faltering relationship: that between museums and academic institutions. This partnership, once foundational to the development of the sector, appears to have drifted into the margins. Have our institutions changed irrevocably, or has the broader landscape shifted around them? Over twenty-five years ago, as I embarked on my career in the museum sector, I looked up to academics who were revered for their in

Many municipal museums and art galleries are nestled within pleasure gardens, originally conceived as an integrated public leisure offering. Similarly, university museums are often set within parkland, and larger independent museums frequently manage extensive green or open spaces. Just as museums themselves vary widely in their scope, so too do these external spaces and their potential for public engagement. Heritage Thinking Differently explores the untapped opportunities b

Do you take time to listen to or watch TED Talks? If not, you might be missing out on an opportunity for personal development. I’m a big fan of podcasts and YouTube videos, but TED Talks offer something unique. Their simple yet powerful format delivers incredible insights, personal stories, and, at times, genuinely life-changing ideas. The TED Conference is a US/Canadian initiative which began in 1984 as a technology conference and has now grown to encompass all topics and pr