I joined Rothesay Pavilion Charity to manage the start up, re-launch and operation of Rothesay Pavilion. However, in business, as in life, not everything goes to plan...!Commissioned by the Royal Burgh Council of Bute and designed by architect James Andrew Carrick, this striking Grade A listed building, completed in 1938, stands as a remarkable example of 1930s International Modernism – a style rarely seen elsewhere in Scotland. Yet, its exposed seafront location gradually took its toll, and by 2010, the Pavilion was placed on the 'Buildings at Risk' register.Recognising its cultural importance, a dedicated group of local charity trustees took on the challenge of restoring the Pavilion. In 2014, their determination sparked a major fundraising campaign, drawing support from the Scottish Government, Argyll and Bute Council, National Heritage Lottery Fund, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Historic Environment Scotland, and the West Coast Foundation, among others.Restoration work began in 2015 with hopes of reopening two years later. However, a series of construction delays followed by the global pandemic in 2019, and the ensuing financial crisis, led to the collapse of the main contractor. Work halted, costs escalated, and the future of the project hung in the balance. In 2020, Argyll and Bute Council, alongside the Rothesay Pavilion Charity and key partners, regrouped, launching a renewed effort to find a new contractor and secure an additional £15 million in funding.In May 2023, Robertson Construction began the first of three phases to complete the restoration. Thanks to ongoing fundraising efforts, Argyll and Bute Council gave the green light in September 2024 to finish the project. The Pavilion is now set to reopen in late 2026, emerging as a unique visitor attraction, entertainment centre, events venue & vibrant gathering place for Bute’s communities, artists, makers, designers, and visitors – a transformation that has truly been worth the wait.

Drawing on over 20 years experience in change management, facilitation, strategic business planning, marketing & sales strategy, project management planning and business development, Julie led a team of 15 researchers, marketers, analysts and developers providing Scottish cultural organisations support needed to understand and engage with the public in ways that work.

The only postgraduate course of its kind, the Queen Margaret programme continues to attract post-graduate students from Scotland, the UK and around the world. It is suitable for both graduates who wish to add a vocational management emphasis to their first degree and those with equivalent professional qualifications or experience. IBased in Scotland's festival city the course benefits from its unique industry links between the course and the many arts, festival and cultural organisations based in and around Edinburgh, across Scotland and the UK.

Culture Sparks enabled creative organisations in Glasgow and the West of Scotland to harness knowledge about audiences, unlock innovation, encourage experimentation, promote collaboration and achieve their growing ambitions

Network of UK Audience development Agencies