News: Heritage Thinking Differently to be new home for acclaimed strategic planning programme.

Heritage Thinking Differently to Offer Acclaimed Strategic Planning Programme

A New Era for Strategic Planning in the Cultural Sector

Welcome back to the Heritage Thinking Differently blog! I’m excited to share some fantastic news about an opportunity that will benefit cultural institutions across the sector. Many of you will be familiar with Nick Winterbotham, a highly respected figure in the museum world, renowned for his leadership, coaching, and consultancy work. Over the years, he has provided invaluable support to numerous institutions through his 2/5/10 Strategic Planning Programme—a method that has helped organisations navigate their future with clarity and purpose.

With his well-earned retirement approaching, Nick has entrusted this proven planning framework to Helen Sharp and me, ensuring its continued impact. From 2025, we will take the helm of this programme, guiding organisations through a structured yet flexible approach to long-term strategic planning.

Meet Helen Sharp

Many of you may already know Helen (formerly Martinez) from her time at Museum Development Midlands, her leadership at Erewash Museum, and her numerous award-winning community engagement initiatives. Together, we are working closely with Nick to uphold the high standards of delivery that have made his approach so effective. Over the next few months, we will be offering the programme to select institutions before making it widely available in 2025.

Why Strategic Planning Matters Now More Than Ever

A robust strategic plan is more than just a document—it’s a roadmap to success. Our process harnesses the insight, ambition, and expertise of your stakeholders to shape a clear and actionable vision for your organisation. The 2/5/10 model focuses on setting realistic goals for the next two and five years, while establishing a longer-term direction for the next decade.

The strength of Nick’s approach lies in its simplicity and adaptability. The resulting plan is a succinct, working document that evolves alongside your organisation, allowing for regular updates in response to shifting challenges and opportunities. Think back to where your organisation was ten years ago—how valuable would it have been to have a structured plan guiding your journey? Now, consider the unprecedented disruptions of recent years, such as the pandemic, which forced many institutions to rethink their strategies. In an uncertain world, a flexible yet focused planning framework is indispensable.

A Programme Designed for Accessibility and Impact

We are committed to ensuring that this programme is affordable and accessible to organisations of all sizes. Our goal is to keep fees within reach for most cultural institutions or within the scope of small grant funding. Evidence suggests that a strong strategic plan can significantly enhance an organisation’s ability to secure funding, as it instils confidence in major donors and grant providers.

Beyond funding, this process fosters internal cohesion by engaging key staff and stakeholders in shaping the organisation’s direction. Many national institutions already utilise this framework, updating their objectives annually to remain agile in a rapidly changing sector. Additionally, this approach is invaluable for brand development and vision-setting, and we are eager to explore how it can be adapted to meet your organisation’s unique needs.

Honouring Nick’s Legacy

Both Helen and I have long admired Nick’s leadership and strategic thinking. We both participated in the ACE-funded Museum Resilient Leadership Programme, which he co-directed, and I have attended his ‘Be the Change’ leadership retreat for many years. Many of you may know him from his senior leadership roles, his tenure as Chair of GEM, or his work with the RNLI Heritage Committee. Others may have engaged with him through his consultancy, coaching, or leadership training.

Regardless of how you know him, we can all agree that Nick’s contributions to the sector have been transformative. By entrusting Helen and me with his 2/5/10 Strategic Planning Programme, he has paid us a tremendous compliment. We are deeply honoured and fully committed to delivering the same high standard of insight, structure, and support that he has provided for so many years.

Join Us on This Journey

As Lewis Carroll wisely wrote, “If you don’t know where you are going, any road will take you there.” Let’s work together to ensure your organisation has a clear, strategic direction.

Contact Museums Thinking Differently today to learn more about how the 2/5/10 Strategic Planning Programme can help you Think Differently and secure a resilient future.

Links

Business Planing Webpage

Nick Winterbotham (LinkedIn)

Winterbotham Associates

 Paul Baker