Simon founded Simon Leach Design in 2011 with 20 years experience as a design consultant working in the museums and heritage sector. The company brings together specialists in exhibition design, interpretation, graphic design, heritage planning, narrative environments, audio-visual and sound design, education and activity planning. The company specialise in designing and developing creative and meaningful ideas for exhibitions, museums, galleries and cultural heritage.SLD has a proven track record in creating engaging narrative-led designs. Our work encompasses complete museum redesigns, temporary exhibitions, strategic narrative planning, exterior interpretation, wayfinding, immersive and interactive digital and soundscapes. We hone relationships with our clients that last years, building supportive, trusted and critical friendships.Many of the projects the company works on are NLHF-funded and we are well-versed in presenting and coordinating designs with stakeholders, steering committees, funders, Historic England, local authorities and community interest groups.Over the past years we have designed and consulted on projects across the UK, including for the Ulster Museum, National Maritime Museum in London, V&A South Kensington and V&A Museum of Childhood, The National Archives, British Library, Museum of Oxford, Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich (part of the Greenwich World Heritage Site), English Heritage, The Archbishop’s Palace Southwell and Wicksteed Park in Kettering.Working collaboratively alongside architects, planners, curators, artists, conservators, writers and activity planners we ensure proposals are engaging, appropriate and part of fully integrated and coordinated visitor experiences. We utilise varying techniques to impart information in a multitude of media and in a layered manner, often seeking to retain or refocus an atmosphere of authenticity whilst providing historical context and creating a distinct contemporary design language.

2011 National Museum ScotlandBudget £47.4m; fit out £7.5m Lead 3D designer from the start of RIBA stage E to project hand-over.2009 Lincoln Castle Revealed (ongoing) Budget £12.5m; fit out £2.3m 7 acres site, 1500 sqm interpreted prison 400 sqm new buildLead 3D designer, from pitch proposal to completion of RIBA stage D. 2007 London Transport Museum (completed) Museums & Heritage Awards for Permanent ExhibitionBudget £22.4m; fit out £4.4m 3000 sqm Lead 3D designer from the start of RIBA stage E to project hand-over. 2007 ‘The Braid’ in Ballymena (completed) RICS Award for Regenerationbudget £20m; fit out £1.2m 1000 sqm Lead 3D designer from the start of RIBA stage G to project hand-over.

Master planning for Blackpool Zoo