PROJECTS & CASE STUDIES
Selected Projects & Case Studies
Each project is unique and special. Each has its own history, constraints, challenges and opportunities. Compass Heritage provides experienced senior-level review, structure and strategic insight to help organisations progress with confidence. The examples below illustrate the scope and impact of recent work across the heritage, museum and maritime sectors.
SS Great Britain Trust
Bristol, UK
Challenge
Transform one of Britain's most compelling heritage sites and stabilise a complex conservation challenge while evolving into a world-class visitor destination.
Approach
Led a 23-year programme of ship conservation, industrial campus development and organisational growth including the Being Brunel Museum & the Brunel Institute, pioneering ship conservation, and major visitor-experience innovation.
Outcome
Visitor numbers increased from 80,000 to 200,000; more than £40 million secured; over 60 awards won; internationally recognised as a benchmark for maritime heritage conservation and visitor engagement.
Lloyd's Register Foundation
Heritage Strategy & Development
London, UK
Challenge
Provide strategic direction for globally significant maritime heritage collections and define a compelling framework for public benefit and future partnerships.
Approach
Developed senior-level strategic options, strengthened alignment between heritage, research and public benefit, and created conceptual groundwork for future narratives, partnerships and exhibition frameworks.
Outcome
A dynamic, coherent and confident strategic position for heritage within LRF's mission, a refined set of research principles and a clear and exciting pathway for future development. Ongoing strategic advisor to the Foundation.
Brooklands Museum
Visitor Journey Masterplan
Surrey, UK
Challenge
Unite a historic racetrack, aviation heritage and diverse collections into a coherent vision, guiding future development, and supporting funding discussions.
Approach
Developed a 'North Star' Vision and visitor journey masterplan integrating conservation priorities, immersive storytelling, site visit flows and phased development aligned with NLHF pathways.
Outcome
A transformational visitor-experience visit masterplan informing and supporting Trustee decision-making and shaping the Museum's long-term direction.
Hong Kong Maritime Museum
Strategy & Organisational Review
Hong Kong SAR, China
Challenge
Strengthen long-term strategy, transform visitor engagement, increase audiences, diversify income and support leadership capacity.
Approach
Delivered an organisational review, developed Strategic Plan, interpretative frameworks, gallery and transformative visitor experience concepts and ongoing mentoring and development of the senior leadership team.
Outcome
Focussed strategic direction, improved organisational cohesion and refreshed and impactful visitor experience concepts supporting dynamic and significant growth in profile and visitor impact.
IMO Headquarters
Museum & Gallery Concept
London, UK
Challenge
Develop a coherent visitor journey and interpretative concept for a new museum/gallery within a complex international institutional setting.
Approach
Created robust and creative concept designs, content frameworks, inspiring visitor journey models and targeted strategic advice to shape the IMO's emerging museum and heritage ambitions.
Outcome
A rigorous conceptual foundation for the next phase of museum development, enabling confident planning and implementation, successfully combining ambition and achievability.
Wells Cathedral
Heritage Strategy & Development
Somerset, UK
Challenge
Strengthen the 'visitor journey' experience at one of England's greatest mediaeval cathedrals, incorporating the famous Vicars' Close, while balancing worship, conservation, governance and the practical demands of a high-volume visitor operation.
Approach
Led the development of a clear, end-to-end Visitor Journey framework, aligning welcome, visit routes, interpretation, operations and commercial touchpoints through close collaboration with the Dean and senior staff.
Outcome
A shared, practical blueprint for phased improvements, supporting clearer storytelling, improved welcome and commercial confidence, stronger internal alignment, and a much larger visitor experience that is more legible, welcoming and sustainable.
OTHER VALUED CLIENTS AND COLLABORATIONS
Yorkshire Sculpture Park, The National Trust, Museums & Heritage Media Ltd., Hull City Council, National Historic Ships UK, Classic Boat Museum Trust, HMS Unicorn Preservation Society, HMS Victory & the National Museum of the Royal Navy, the Australian National Maritime Museum
WORK WITH COMPASS HERITAGE
Interested in working together on your heritage project? Let's discuss how I can help bring clarity, strategy and momentum to your work.
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