Speakers

Kate is a UX designer with 14 years of experience working with organisations like the Natural History Museum, Sainsbury’s, and TUI. She is currently part of the eCommerce team at the Natural History Museum, designing accessible, user-friendly digital experiences that help visitors book tickets and shop online.

Charlie is a digital product manager who has worked across a span of digital roles in the retail and culture industry. Her current role sees her managing the technology allowing visitors to buy tickets and shop online at one of the world’s most visited attractions, The Natural History Museum.

James is an award-winning Visitor Experience and Commercial Manager with a proven track record of enhancing venue hire and event delivery. At Shakespeare North Playhouse, he has played a key role in relaunching the catering and venue hire offer and implementing efficient processes.

James is Creative Director and Owner of Lumsden, renowned for award-winning retail and restaurant interiors at many of the world’s most iconic visitor destinations. His portfolio includes MoMA, British Museum, M+ Hong Kong, National Gallery, National Theatre, Warner Bros. Studio Tours & Harry Potter flagships, and Netflix House.

As Managing Director of Wild Republic Retail, Jeremy has grown the business to operating shops in zoos and aquariums globally, while also sharing knowledge on a consultancy basis with visitor attractions. Previously he was Commercial Director at The Ashmolean, and Head of Retail and Licensing at the Natural History Museum.

As Director of Kiplin Hall and Gardens, James has overseen raising £2million in external funding and increasing visitor numbers to over 37,000. He is passionate about visitor experience and improving organisational sustainability to ensure a larger and more diverse range of people have enjoyable and educational experiences at organisations he leads.

Alexander Goodger leads wine, whisky, gin, Champagne, sake and beer tastings at Stourbridge Glass Museum where he is director. In 2025 he was awarded Fundraiser of the Year.

Amberley balances client needs with rights holder requirements, clearing complex rights across multiple artist projects. With extensive experience managing copyright for museums and galleries, Amberley provides efficient, friendly service to clients including the Royal Academy, the Courtauld Gallery, and the National Portrait Gallery.

An unexpected lockdown love story changed the lives of Alex and Oli – aka The Crooked Men – as they met, married and moved to The Crooked House in Lavenham, Suffolk. Today, the Crooked Men share the story of their 600 year-old home through award-winning immersive experiences, attracting worldwide visitors.

Melanie brings extensive leadership experience in arts, culture, and visitor engagement. Previously an Executive Director at National Museums Liverpool and CEO at Shakespeare North Playhouse, she was instrumental in launching this pioneering cultural venue as a catalyst for community regeneration through arts and heritage.

Adam Lumb is Head of Commercial and IP at Royal Armouries, and a freelance consultant. A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing with a deep love of brand and visual arts, he has worked for galleries, museums, theatre, film and TV, and now works alongside this as a consultant to package client’s brand stories.

Rachel oversees operational and experience delivery for visitors to Henry VIII’s iconic pleasure palace. Previously Rachel carved out a career developing and delivering the visitor experience in roles at Madame Tussauds, the Natural History Museum, and Kew Palace. Her first book, Delivering the Visitor Experience, was published in 2023.

Alex has worked in retail management and training roles within the retail and aviation sectors across the UK for over four decades. He is passionate about working effectively and supportively with the Trust’s retail suppliers, developing a unique range of property bespoke products that have proved popular with visitors.

Kingston is responsible for innovating and leading customer touch points throughout BMT. His directorate includes all Trading Activity, Marketing, Digital, IT and Visitor Operations. He is at the forefront of ensuring that BMT can grow and evolve to best tell the stories of its collection and city as the cultural anchor for Birmingham.

Abbi is Visitor Attraction Director at Castle Howard, in North Yorkshire. Her role involves a broad range of responsibilities, but perhaps her favourite is heading up the annual Christmas season of events. Having worked in theatre for ten years, Abbi made the move to Castle Howard eight years ago.

Genevieve joined the WI in 2025 having previously spent 11 years at the National Trust as Publishing & Books Manager and a Buyer, gaining experience in commercial strategy and brand development. She is now responsible for overseeing commercial partnerships and business development, ensuring the WI’s continued growth while upholding its core values.

As a designer maker, Rebecca’s work has exhibited across Europe, US and China. Her enthusiasm to encourage others to learn and be creative led to the position as Course Director at the School of Jewellery. As a designer maker, course leader and active member of the UK’s craft industry she has a unique perspective on the future of ‘the crafts’.

Lucy has over 15 years’ experience driving income growth across leading cultural institutions including Imperial War Museums and the Natural History Museum. With a track record of doubling profits, she brings expertise in strategic event delivery, audience engagement, and income generation, helping organisations rethink how they engage audiences to boost income.