Meet the Winners

Best Catering Initiative

Delapré Abbey

Bringing catering operations in-house has enabled The Orangery Café and Hibiscus Fine Dining to become fully aligned with the Abbey’s core values of sustainability, community, and exceptional visitor experiences. Guests can enjoy locally inspired dishes while knowing their support directly benefits the Abbey and the wider community.

Best eCommerce Initiative

National Trust

A creative and commercially successful initiative that resonated deeply with audiences, the National Trust’s Sycamore Gap hand-burnished relief prints were created directly from a round of the tree. The prints combine heritage, artistry, and storytelling, creatively using ecommerce to connect with audiences and generate income.

Best Event

Shakespeare’s Globe

The Globe’s bilingual production of Antony and Cleopatra in Spoken English and British Sign Language became the first Deaf-inclusive production of its scale on a major UK stage. Creative captioning enhanced the experience for all audiences and the show’s bilingual framework creatively heightened the textual themes of miscommunication.

Best Filming Initiative

National Trust

The National Trust’s Filming and Locations Office generates revenue by hosting filming at its historic properties. The team has worked on a series of initiatives to double capacity, develop expertise, grow filming tourism, increase sustainability and drive commercial success, including a bestselling filming location guide.

Best Licensing Initiative

National Trust

The National Trust teamed up with leading outdoor and adventure brand Craghoppers to launch a sustainable clothing range including fleeces, waterproof jackets and practical accessories featuring prints and autumnal hues inspired by National Trust landscapes, all largely comprising 100% recycled materials.

Best Publication

British Library

Beyond the Bassline: 500 Years of Black British Music

This innovative book was created to accompany an exhibition aiming to engage new audiences and share culture. From Tudor trumpeters to Drum ‘n’ Bass and Afrobeats, six centuries of Black music and stories have been skilfully worked into one comprehensive volume, drawing from communities and personal archives.

Best Retail Initiative

Museum of the Home

Recognised by The Guardian as “one of London’s best museum shops”, the museum’s sustainable retail offer inspired by its new gallery immerses visitors in home stories. Featuring ethical, local, and vintage stock, it has driven strong sales, positive press, and community engagement through innovative collaborations.

Best Ticketing Initiative

Foundling Museum

Working with Studio T, the Foundling Museum has overhauled ticketing operations, tackling a £75k income shortfall. A new digital system has integrated finance, retail, and CRM, including a custom ticketing app, while an “annual pass” model has boosted Gift Aid, streamlined visitor experience and set the stage for future growth.

Best Venue Hire Initiative

Glasgow Life

Glasgow Life has diversified its venue hire offer by developing innovative partnerships that blend income generation with events like makers markets, silent discos, and concerts. This creative, customer-driven approach has ensured the museums’ financial resilience while enhancing their role in Glasgow’s cultural scene.

Best Visitor Experience

Grimm & Co

Grimm & Co’s Emporium of Stories is a fairy-tale experience with no pay barrier. Housing magical realms where words come to life, this is the world’s first visitor attraction that delivers the joyful discovery of stories throughout the guest experience, igniting imaginations with an invitation to be playful from the moment of arrival.

Marketing Campaign of the Year

Castle Howard

Castle Howard’s Christmas marketing campaign aims to grow audiences (now over 105k), boost PR and enhance brand reputation. The 2024 Alice in Wonderland season featuring immersive installations, themed experiences and expanded events has widened accessibility and engagement across diverse demographics.

Rising Star

Jamie Ruers

Public Events & Online Retail Manager
Foundling Museum

In just nine months, Jamie has launched both a new public programme and a new online shop. Under her leadership, the public programme’s income has doubled and she has also secured funding to support key projects, reflecting her innovation, drive, and broad skillset.

Sector Support Partnership of the Year

Start Licensing

Start Licensing collaborates with the Ashmolean on its highly successful commercial licensing programme, aiming to extend reach, grow revenue and build awareness. The agency works with the museum to source licensing partners, set a strategy to maximise commercial returns and ensure each offer is creatively appealing.

Team of the Year

Kynren 11arches

Kynren has a small leadership and operations team who work with nearly 1,000 volunteers to put on the show, showing exceptional leadership, innovation and community spirit. Beyond operational success, Kynren cultivates an engaged community through skill development, confidence building and social connectivity.

Julie Molloy

As Managing Director of National Gallery Global Julie led the way in terms of commercial ranges and results, providing inspirational leadership for many. She continues to support the sector in many ways – lecturing, as a trustee board member and through her consultancy work. Julie also informally supports many in the sector, and has always been open to meetings, offering advice, support and guidance.

“Julie’s tireless dedication and visionary contributions to the cultural sector have set an extraordinary standard over her remarkable career spanning more than three decades. Her unwavering commitment to fostering innovation and enterprise within the cultural sector is unparalleled, and her work not only celebrates the essence of cultural enterprise but also inspires countless others to follow in her footsteps.”
– Gordon Morrison, CEO, Cultural Enterprises