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.

Celebrated for his entrepreneurial spirit and vision, Sanjay is co-founder of Spice Kitchen, a family-run business blending heritage, innovation and flavour, now a multi-award-winning brand stocked in 600+ retailers nationwide. Author of Spice Kitchen and Essential Spices for Dummies, Sanjay is also a mentor and Liverpool University board member.

With a background in buying, brand development and product development for independent home, fashion and gift brands, Fi now manages the Cultural Enterprises Trade Show as well as developing member resources including the Retail Trend Report and Retail Sustainability Framework.

Claire leads the development of commercially successful, mission-aligned product ranges across multiple retail channels. With extensive experience in cultural commerce, Claire specialises in creating thoughtful, story-driven ranges that connect with visitors in meaningful, engaging ways.

With 40 years of commercial experience across retail, catering, publishing, licensing, front of house, tours, venue hire and wholesale, Perry’s career began in the high street, before taking up roles at National Portrait Gallery and Freemason’s Hall. He has also provided consultancy for Old Royal Naval College, Wellcome Collection and Winchester Cathedral and created courses for the Cultural Enterprises Academy.

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.

Tom is Interim COO at the Association for Cultural Enterprises, with a particular focus on external relationships, sustainability, the Cultural Enterprises Academy and as a qualified coach, the mentoring programme. Tom also hosts the Arts & Culture podcast. Based in London, Tom previously worked at the National Theatre.

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.

Carolyn specialises in venue hire model strategic development, using sector knowledge to construct strategy for space-led income streams, including margin analysis, scalability, and values-led approaches. Recent publications include The Value of Venue Hire in Arts Professional, exploring how venue hire can build engagement pathways and create value for organisations.

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.

With two decades of leadership experience across London’s most prestigious institutions, Gabriela brings extensive expertise in visitor experience and operational excellence. She now leads on strategic initiatives to enhance customer engagement and commercial operations at the House of Commons.

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.

Paul brings nearly 30 years’ leadership experience across the heritage and visitor attractions sector. Previously Director of Painshill Park Trust, he has also overseen the flagship historic site of Al Jazeera Al Hamra, and held senior roles with English Heritage and the Mary Rose Trust. Paul was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Business by Southampton Solent University for his services to tourism, heritage, and conservation. 

David’s career has focussed on focused creating impactful, values-driven experiences delivered by passionate and engaged teams. Following senior roles at Historic Royal Palaces, The Landmark Trust and Tate, David now supports the recruitment of inspiring and thoughtful leaders across the sector.

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.

Julia has worked in retail for her entire career, previously at Eastern State Penitentiary and the Mütter Museum, and now at at the newly opened Edelman Fossil Park & Museum in Mantua, NJ. She is committed to advocating for museums with a niche focus and the value their stories bring to the museum store world. 

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.

Anya’s work seamlessly blends curatorial knowledge with practical operational skills and ‘real life’ support. Having played a key role in the operation and development of Beamish Museum, she now supports a wide range of organisations. From mentoring on commercial development to creating retail ranges, Anya’s work consistently makes a difference to the individuals and organisations she supports.

Kate’s career began in the commercial team at West Bromwich Albion Football Club before moving into venue hire and management of luxury overnight Safari Lodges at West Midlands Safari Park. She is now responsible for £4.4m of income across all food, drink and retail enterprise units, venue hire and filming at Black Country Living Museum.

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.

Natalie is an experienced Editor and Creative Strategist with a background in writing, editing, and visual storytelling. In 2024 Natalie created Hold Everything, a social enterprise offering bespoke branded tote bags for businesses and events. Passionate about fashion, travel, and art, she brings creativity and a global perspective to building meaningful brand partnerships.

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.

Recognised as one of the UK’s most influential disability advocates, Andrew has transformed perceptions throughout 35 years in the creative industries. He began his career as one of the first disabled presenters on British television and now works with leading cultural brands to improve access and create opportunities for disabled people.

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.

Having spent 20+ years working in senior management positions for some of the high street’s most recognisable brands, Catherine now manages retail operations and development at Amgueddfa Cymru. She is currently leading a transformation project to create immersive retail experiences in each of the museum shops.

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 oversees 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.