Projects 2022-2023
- Carried out a strategic review for South West Museums Development into the provision of MDO support in Devon
- Drafted a £2 million bid to the Lottery for the Gardeners’ House, Penzance
- Coordinated the organisation of Lyme Regis Museum’s new object store
- Supported South Somerset District Council in fundraising for their ‘Ham Hill Park’ initiative
- Advised the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust on the potential relocation of their museum collections
- Prepared a successful EOI to the Lottery for the Hythe Pier Heritage Association
- Carried out the ‘Future Hub’ options review for Lyme Regis Development Trust
‘From blank sheet of paper to programme completion’
An experienced fundraiser, David has raised £2.4 million from a wide range of funders, including the Heritage Lottery Fund, major grant giving charities and local and central government.
The Mary Anning Wing, Lyme Regis Museum 2012-2021
As Director of Lyme Regis Museum, David developed, fundraised and led the creation of the Mary Anning Wing, a £1.7 million programme providing Lyme Regis Museum with extended galleries, new Learning Space and an enlarged retail space. He has worked closely with architects, planners, project managers and contractors as well as a wide range of educational and cultural advisers.
Situated at the heart of the Jurassic Coast and built on the site of the home of Mary Anning, the world’s first great fossil collector, the Mary Anning Wing is a modern glass and zinc structure, built to complement and enhance the existing, listed 1902 building.
Covid-19 Resilience
In 2020-21, David successfully navigated Covid 19, protected the museum’s staff and volunteers incomes and welfare and obtained emergency funding allowing the museum to maintain its financial reserves, collections integrity and most of all the health of visitors, volunteers and colleagues.
‘Jurassic Life’ 2007 – 2011
As Dorset County Museums Adviser, David authored, managed and delivered ‘Jurassic Life’, regarded as the most successful strand of the Heritage Lottery Fund’s ‘Collecting Cultures’ Programme. ‘Jurassic Life’ funded the acquisition of locally sourced, world-class fossils for museums along the Jurassic Coast, including the ‘Weymouth Bay Pliosaur’, the colossal fossilised skull of the most powerful predator to live on Earth.
The Jurassic Coast Museums Partnership 2006-2012
As Dorset County Museums Advisor, David created the Jurassic Coast Museums Partnership. Operating in Dorset and East Devon, the partnership proved successful in attracting £110,000 funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Renaissance in the Regions to improve displays, collection care and interpretation in museums from Purbeck, Dorset to Exmouth.
Dorset County Museums Adviser 2004-12
As Dorset County Museums Adviser, David was Curatorial Adviser to 17 accredited, voluntary museums and worked with strategic partners, including Renaissance, the SW Museums, Libraries and Archives Council and fellow curatorial advisers to support museums across Dorset and Eastern Devon.
Swanage Museum and Heritage Centre 2006
Working closely with Purbeck District Council and Swanage Museum Trust, David drafted the successful Heritage Lottery Fund bid for £50,000 enabling the museum to transfer to a new location on the sea front at Swanage, resulting in attendances rocketing from 4,000 to over 30,000 a year. As the museum’s advisor he also provided guidance with the creation of exhibitions.
Interpretation and Education Manager, The Tank Museum 2002-04
As head of interpretation at the Tank Museum, David devised and delivered ‘Courage, Commitment and Community’, a £130,000, Department of Culture, Media and Sports funded project to make stories of bravery and sacrifice accessible to wider audiences. As a member of the senior management team David also supported Col. John Woodward, Tank Museum Director in the development of the Tank Museum’s major expansion and development programme.
Area Museums Officer, Norfolk Museums Service 2000-02
David supported Bill Seaman, Norfolk Museum Operations Director in the delivery of the £11 million of Norwich Castle. David was particularly involved in developing interpretation and building services teams and supporting in the planning of complex fire and security systems.
Curator, Trowbridge Museum 1994-2000
As Curator of Trowbridge Museum, David put in place exhibition programmes and marketing strategies which proved successful in addressing the museum’s then rapid decline in attendances, as well as managing the overall collections care and learning offer. He is most proud of introducing free educational services for children from hard-pressed local schools and families.
In 2010-11 David worked as a consultant for Trowbridge Museum, assisting in the early stages of the museum’s ongoing expansion and development, which is now progressing.