The Sainsbury Centre is a world class art museum with a unique perspective on how art can foster cultural dialogue and exchange. Following a radical relaunch in 2023 the Sainsbury Centre is the first museum in the world to formally recognise the living lifeforce of art, enabling people to build relationships across an arts landscape.The art of the Sainsbury Centre can help to reframe and answer the most important questions people have in their lives. It is not only a museum to learn more about artists, cultures or movements like Francis Bacon, the Tang Dynasty or Modernism, it is a place of experience, where collections are animate, and visitors are emotionally connected.One of the first museums in the world to display art from all around the globe and from all time periods equally and collectively, Sir Robert and Lady Lisa Sainsbury created one of the most sought after yet non-conformist art collections. In 1973 they donated their collection, which transcended traditional barriers between art, architecture, archaeology and anthropology, to the University of East Anglia, and created an entirely new type of museum. Housed in Sir Norman Foster’s revolutionary first ever public building, the space aimed for an interactive relationship between people, object and landscape, where art was placed within an open yet intimate ‘living area’.As Head of Visitor Operations I work across all aspects of visitor experience, events, hospitality and security, ensuring that those who engage with our permanent collections, seasonal exhibitions, and in our 350 acre sculpture park have an exceptional experience, creating connections with our artworks, staff and each other.

Gecko is an award-winning and internationally-acclaimed physical theatre company based in Ipswich, led by Artistic Director Amit Lahav.A Gecko show is visual, visceral, ambitious theatre crafted to inspire, move and entertain. We strive to make our work wide open to interpretation and put the audience at the heart of the narrative.With an expanding ensemble of international performers and makers, Gecko works across diverse age groups, nationalities and forms. The company tours nationally and internationally and continues to develop strong partnerships around the world.Beyond the stage, we aspire to open the doors on our process via every possible avenue, be it digital, in schools or through a one-to-one relationship with our audience.It was my job to keep Gecko running smoothly and oversee everything from HR and IT systems, to marketing, finance, business development/strategy and fundraising. I was also lead on the development of the company's capital project, the Gecko Creation Space, an industry leading creation and devising space. During my time at the company, we created Gecko's first feature length film airing on BBC Four, navigated a pandemic, raised over £2.5m for capital projects, touring and core funding through ACE National Portfolio funding, performed 8 sold out performances of The Wedding at the Barbican Centre, and 19 sold out performances of Kin and London's National Theatre.

Freelance consultant to museums, visitor centres and organisations looking to provide engaging hands-on learning experiences for their audiences. This includes assessment and development of current provision, development and supply of new visitor experiences, staff training (presentation skills, training the trainer, public engagement training, management skills etc.), advising senior management including mentoring and long term strategic planning. Delivery of Show Me Learning branded experiences at schools, museums and festivals across the UK and Ireland to over 120,000 people, as well as providing events (scripts, props and training) for those who wish to deliver these events with their own staff. In this role I oversee all aspects of running Show Me Learning, including marketing, accounts, online presence, tender documentation, budget and project management, evaluation, reports etc.Clients have included: BBC, Medical Research Council, Glasgow Life, Colchester and Ipswich Museums Service, University of East Anglia, University of the East of England, 1001 Inventions, Cancer Research UK, Cultural Innovations, KCA, Esplora (Malta), London Transport Museum, National Media Museum, National Railway Museum, National Museum of Scotland, Science Gallery (Dublin), Science Museum, SetPoint Hertfordshire, Science Foundation Ireland, ZSL London Zoo.

Leading the transformation of visitor experience and tourism services provision delivered by Ipswich Borough Council and, working in partnership with key stakeholders within the town, developing a strategy to deliver a range of services, retail and marketing to create a 21st Century visitor service.Relationship manager within Ipswich for two museums, several arts/cultural organisations, and 6 Arts Council England NPOs creating strategic partnerships that strengthen the visitor offer within the town.Key role in driving tourism and destination marketing strategies (both digital and traditional) through positions held on regional and local advisory boards e.g. Visit Suffolk and Ipswich DMO. Member of Ipswich Vision's 'Sense of Place' working group.Leading the strategic business review and operational management of the Ipswich Tourist Information Centre, reviewing all aspects of this service, including service provision, staffing, income/expenditure, legal compliance and retail, with the aim of transforming this service to provide an exceptional visitor experience.For four months (end 2016) I also held the position of interim Ipswich Museums Manager, to support this service during staff recruitment.

Responsible for all operational aspects for the Cambridge Science Centre, including all aspects of financial management, including the restructuring of the Centre's financial procedures, creation and monitoring of annual budgets and finance targets, assessment of financial risks and the production and submission of the annual finance audit for both board members and Charity Commission for England and Wales.Oversaw all aspects of the Centre's HR, including staffing/management restructure, the introduction of the Centre's pension, life assurance and childcare voucher schemes, approval of payroll reports, recruitment and the issuing of employee contracts, and the introduction of a standardised induction programme to improve staff retention.Oversaw the development and installation of the Centre's Cosmic Exhibition, including the introduction of a more design-led internal and external interpretation of the venue, creating a more immersive and visitor focussed exhibition experience.Created the three year strategic development plan for the Cambridge Science Centre, with particular emphasis on income generation via sponsorship/funding, increased admissions and retail sales.

Led all aspects of exhibit development, procurement and installation of the 350+ hands-on exhibits for this £75m Millenium Commision funded project which opened in July 2001. Operational management of the three exhibit floors and responsibility for building and recruiting the exhibit maintenance team. Managed development budget of £1.2m and annual operations budget of £200k. Procurement of the ‘Classics’ exhibition, travelling outreach exhibition, external exhibits and interpretation, and main entrance iconic display. Responsible for the development and installation of new visitor services and experiences once open, including the design and installation of a new ticketing hall, the design and installation of Santa’s Grotto, and the 5 year strategic exhibitions development plan.

Project manager for the move and redevelopment of Launch Pad, the Museum’s world renowned interactive gallery, ensuring changes to the gallery responded to visitor needs in terms of exhibit and shows provision, visitor flow and gallery interpretation. Provided a high quality visitor experience in the Museum’s five hands-on galleries by ensuring the ongoing development and maintenance of all exhibits, and the management of public science shows and events. Oversaw the development and quality assurance of shows, and the training and mentoring of Explainer show staff. Strategic responsibility for the start up of the Science Museum’s outreach provision. Managed the 5 year strategic development plans for all of the hands-on galleries. Recruitment, training, mentoring and performance management of Team Leaders for the hands-on galleries of the Science Museum.

Responsible for ensuring that all visitors received a premium visitor experience whilst enjoying the hands-on galleries within the Science Museum. Supervisory responsibility for on-duty Explainers (team of 80 full and part-time staff) and direct line management of a team of 20, for whom I monitored performance and oversaw professional development. Recruitment and training of the Explainer staff and the daily operational running of the five hands-on galleries, including crowd/customer management during peak periods and rota management. Operations Manager for the Things and Garden galleries during their first year post-opening, with responsibility for snagging and contractor liaison.

Coordinated the Education Events Service, a series of events targeted at schools and community groups including workshops, gallery tours and lectures. I developed, managed and promoted the events, trained the events staff and evaluated the service. I also worked on content development for the Things, Garden and On Air galleries, developing creative exhibit briefs and evaluating exhibit ideas prior to their design and installation in 1995.

My role as an Explainer was to ensure that those visiting the hands-on galleries received an exceptional visitor experience by interpreting information, helping them with the exhibits, presenting science events and workshops. I was one of the first Explainers selected to develop and deliver interactive science shows within the galleries.