Consultancy and Paid Support

Consultancy is led by FAC Co-Directors Annabel Turpin and Gavin Barlow who, between them, have a wide experience of cultural management and policy, including a combined 40+ years in leadership positions in arts centres. See below for their relevant career and consultancy experience.

We draw on the range of skills, experience and knowledge within the FAC network, including associates, advisers and partners (see here for details), as well as the data, insight and research FAC has collected. We have also developed a wider network of advisors who can support in specialist areas, from tax advice to commercial strategy.

Past clients include Cambridge Junction, artsdepot, and The Spring Arts & Heritage Centre.

NEW SERVICE from autumn 2025

SPECIALIST AUDIT & ADVICE for arts centres

Do you need specialist support and advice beyond the scope of FAC peer support but you can’t afford expensive consultants, don’t quite know where to start or simply don’t have the time to give it the attention it needs?

This new FAC service will be able to support you to assess the issues and draw on specialist support in a timely and cost effective way, led by people who understand the challenges you face.

The issue could be around maximising space hire, food & beverage, pricing strategies, fundraising, building redesign, staffing and HR, digital software and systems, or digital transformation, amongst others.

The FAC team will quickly assess the issues, consult with appropriate experts, and them make recommendations for change and point the way to new opportunities. Where relevant we will link you directly with specialist consultants for advice sessions ensuring that it is timely, informed and relevant – so you don’t pay for anything you don’t need.

If there is an area of concern or a potential opportunity within your organisation you would like to explore further, please contact Christine for an initial discussion.

Costs will be tailored to suit the level of input required, but as a guide, we would expect packages to be £3-5,000 plus expenses

As we trial this new offer, we’re offering a limited number of subsidised packages, equivalent to a 50% discount

RECRUITMENT ADVISORY SERVICE FOR LEADERSHIP POSITIONS

We have considerable experience of working with boards to recruit new leadership teams. We are not recruitment consultants or head-hunters, but we bring direct knowledge and experience of what is involved in leading an arts organisation.

We can support you to:

  • Determine the best leadership structure for your organisation
  • Develop job application packs to attract the right candidates
  • Share the information via our networks and to encourage relevant people to apply
  • Design inclusive recruitment processes that provide multiple ways to get to know candidates
  • Support shortlisting and interviews, as an advisor/observer

Costs will be tailored to suit the level of input required, but as a guide, support for the recruitment of a CEO would be £4-8,000 plus expenses.

ONBOARDING SUPPORT FOR NEW LEADERS

Moving to a new organisation or stepping up to a leadership role for the first time can be a very lonely experience for the candidate, and a nervous time for boards. We can offer packages to support new leaders during their first six months to ensure they can meet the challenges they face and start to deliver quickly and effectively. This would include:

  • Working with boards and staff teams to develop appropriate induction plans
  • One to one support for new leaders, including pre-start date planning, weekly or biweekly check-ins and hands-on support for particular challenges

Costs will be tailored to suit the level of input required but, as a guide, a basic package would be c.£5,000 plus expenses

MENTORING

Do you need an experienced mentor who understands the challenges you are facing to support your development or that of someone in your senior team? We can identify the right match from the FAC team or the wider network to meet your needs.

Costs start from £600 for a package of 5 sessions.

FACILITATION AT STAFF AND BOARD LEVEL

We are experienced at facilitating strategic discussions at staff and board level, particularly around future planning, organisational development and governance. We take time to listen to what needs to be achieved, plan with you and lead an inclusive discussion that arrives at clear outcomes.

Prices vary but, as a guide, costs for FAC members are £600 for a half-day session and £1,100 for a full day (£1,500 for non-members), plus expenses and including all preparation.

PLACE-BASED CULTURAL STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT

We bring expertise in developing place-based cultural strategies that are responsive to the needs of local people and stakeholders. We can support the following:

  • Establishment of place-based partnerships
  • Creative consultation with local people and organisations
  • Development of local visions and ambitions

Previous work in this area includes successful new strategies and place-based partnerships in Lewisham and the Tees Valley. Costs will be based on the scope and scale of the work involved.

RATES

Please note that Future Arts Centres is not currently VAT registered, so no VAT is charged on these rates or costs.

CONTACT

For more information or to arrange any consultancy and support services, please get in touch:

Christine Lee at christine@futureartscentres.org.uk

Experience

Annabel Turpin is Chief Executive of Storyhouse in Chester, one of the country’s largest arts centres, incorporating two theatres, a cinema and the city’s library, attracting more than 800,000 users annually. She is also North Area Council Chair and National Council member of Arts Council England. Her relevant consultancy and career experience includes:

  • CEO of ARC in Stockton on Tees, Annabel established the venue as a leading North East arts organisation with national and international influence
  • Creating and leading a Board Development programme delivered to cultural and wider third sector organisations across the Tees Valley
  • Strategic and implementation consultancy to The Witham arts centre in County Durham to support a new Board and director, and develop a sustainable operating model
  • Deputy Chair and Strategic Culture Lead for Tees Valley Combined Authority: developing a new Cultural Strategy and securing £20m funding
  • Director of Norden Farm Centre for the Arts in Maidenhead, launching a brand new venue and developing its model for financial sustainability as a multi-use space

Gavin Barlow was until recently Chief Executive of the Albany in Deptford, south east London, which he has transformed from an underused community arts centre into one of the capital’s most influential and successful venues, managing other Council assets including the pioneering new combined library-arts space, the Deptford Lounge. His relevant consultancy and career experience includes:

  • Developing and delivering a mixed occupancy model including 30+ tenant organisations, to deliver sustained growth for the Albany in London’s competitive funding environment
  • Developing a £60m joint venture with a housing developer to transform the Albany via a major, capital redevelopment and create affordable housing within inner London
  • Director of Lewisham’s acclaimed 2022 London Borough of Culture, We Are Lewisham, delivering 700 events via 200+ partners and attracting c500,000 total audience and £4m+ inward investment
  • Advising the Family Arts Campaign on governance, organisational structure and operating model to become a successful ACE National Portfolio Organisation
  • Chair of Lewisham Cultural Partnership and Strategic Advisor on Culture to LB Lewisham, advising on the development of the Broadway Theatre Catford and establishing a new Cultural Strategy for Lewisham in 2023

Both Annabel and Gavin have wide and varied experience as recruitment advisers, speakers, mentors and facilitators.