Between 1994 and 2002, she was Head of Cultural Services at Swindon Borough Council where she was the leader of 200 staff and responsible for the strategy and operation of museums, archives, libraries and arts spanning 26 buildings. That experience gave her an in depth understanding of the complexity of running public facilities, the importance of well-trained front of house staff, the power of effective management and communication structures and how to operate successfully at a senior management level within a complex organisation. It is this very experience that injects reality into the plans she project manages as a consultant.
At Swindon she was Project Director for a £12 million NLHF funded museum overseeing the development and implementation of the architectural brief and leading the development of interpretative strategy for the whole museum. ‘STEAM – The Museum of the Great Western Railway’ opened in 2000 and won six awards, including one of the top European Museum of the Year prizes.
Julia is a trustee of the Cogges Manor Farm Heritage Trust.
This experience of being a trustee has given her the perspective from the other end of the telescope – in the private sector, with personal responsibility and decision-making for the financial sustainability and success of the organisations.
Qualifications
- BA Hons Ancient History and Archaeology (Birmingham University)
- Certificate in Museum Studies (Leicester University)
- Associate of the Museums Association
- NVQ Level 5 Management (Hertfordshire College)
- Prince2 qualified Project Manager
- NCFE/ILM Higher Award in Training the Trainer
Specialisms
- Analysis and review
- Audience development
- Business planning
- ?Evaluation
- Governance
- Heritage asset management
- Facilities management
- Facility programming
- Interpretation
- Project management
- Staff and volunteer management and structures
- Stakeholder communication
- Strategic development
- Training