Silverstone Museum

Project: Consultancy support to build organisational resilience

Having opened just a few weeks before the first Covid lockdown, the museum needed to build voluntary funding to supplement the resultant loss of visitor income and impact on capital loan repayments.  I came into the museum as a fundraising consultant to develop a robust fundraising strategy and put in place a range of fundraising policies and procedures for good governance.  Concurrently I raised over £1.5 million in Culture Recovery Funds which provided a safety net for core costs, such as salaries and overheads, as well as providing significant investment into marketing to get the museum ‘back on track’ after the lockdowns.  I also developed a 5 year Business Plan for the organisation, led on the evaluation report to National Lottery Heritage Fund for their original £10 million grant, and undertook a review of the museum’s charitable status as a Community Benefit Society.  Working with the British Racing Drivers Club, I launched a public marketing campaign ‘The Walkway of Legends’ as well as new legacy initiatives.

Testimonial from Sally Reynolds, former CEO of Silverstone Museum

“During my time as CEO of the Silverstone Museum, Claire led a number of successful fundraising campaigns, developing and then implementing the strategy behind them. The museum first sought Claire’s advice on potential sources of funding for the development of the Museum’s education programme, which led, under her guidance, to our first successful application to a Foundation. We turned to Claire for advice and support following the closure of the museum due to the COVID pandemic. Her strategic direction and business planning skills were key to the museum’s three successful applications to the Government’s Culture Recovery Funds and ultimately its survival. Claire is brilliant to work with, she is a strategic thinker with a pragmatic approach and her wide-ranging experience within the charities sector means she is incredibly knowledgeable on all aspects of fundraising. She is an excellent communicator, able to engage (and persuade) boards, trustees, stakeholders and funders alike.”