Who We Are
Mollie Dodd, Founder & Executive Consultant
Mollie is an experienced operator and project manager with an extensive commercial background and understanding of the leisure, arts and heritage industries. Mollie worked initially at senior management level in the catering industry and then within visitor attractions and has over 20 years of operating experience, including working with three of the largest caterers in the world, Milburns, a division of Compass, Digby Trout Restaurants, a division of Elior, and Aramark. Working as a General Manager at venues including York Castle Museum, the Baltic, Sage Gateshead, Edinburgh Castle and Manchester Art Gallery among others, Mollie then operated as Area Manager covering sites across the North and Wales. Mollie has also worked with high street restaurants and been responsible for catering within schools and colleges, which means that she has a diverse experience and knowledge of very different ways of working. Adapting her commercial and management skills from catering to management of visitor attractions Mollie has also worked for the National Trust managing several properties and as interim Director for a new visitor attraction in Oxfordshire.
Over the past 10 years Mollie has operated as a consultant working with a wide range of primarily heritage and arts clients providing recommendations, advice and support on a variety of aspects. Usually the organisation is undergoing or planning some major change and consultancy support can range from advice on instigating and managing cultural change, advocacy for new developments, staffing and volunteering, visitor experience and customer service. Another common factor is the need to be financially sustainable and so an objective commercial focus on particular aspects such as admissions, catering and retail can form part of the work. The client brief is key and projects can vary from creating high level strategy, master-planning, business plans and budgets to ‘hands on’ practical advice and support with more specific areas such as layout, visitor flow, staffing and rotas, catering costs, menu planning and events, among other aspects. Development cannot be influenced by a consultant alone and therefore involvement of the relevant teams is usually crucial to achieving and maintaining any benefits and Mollie's excellent interpersonal and leadership skills are an essential part of her work.
Recently working on a major project for the National Trust, for three years Mollie was responsible for the implementation in the North region of a national multi-million pound project to integrate various new systems, including new tills, procurement and finance and leading on the culture change necessitated by this.
In addition to running the business, Mollie also tutors part time in Business Studies and Travel and Tourism at York College and has a natural passion for facilitation, which can often be an important element in projects, ensuring key stakeholders are engaged and able to input to future development or changes. Mollie has experience of mentoring young people, working with ‘Inspiring the Future’ and ‘NYBEP – North Yorkshire Business & Education Partnership’ to support 13 to 18-year olds in their education and career progression in a variety of ways.
Mollie is a Director on the Trading Board of the People’s History Museum, Manchester and her interest in the arts and heritage sector is strengthened with a BA Hons degree in 3D Art and Design. Mollie currently volunteers with her local library and a local café as part of her commitment to supporting small businesses and social enterprises.
Graham Bancroft, Retail Partner Consultant
Heritage Retailing offer cost-effective, practical support across a broad range of retail issues including general strategy, budgeting, product range planning, shop design and stock control systems. We have real, direct ‘hands-on’ experience of over 200 projects mainly within Museums, Tourist Information Centres, Art Galleries, Churches, and Visitor Attractions as well as selected High Street Gift shops.
Principal consultant Graham Bancroft has over 25 years relevant experience and is well known for his realistic advice and assistance. Graham has held a number of voluntary positions on Trading Boards such as at the York Museums Trust and People’s History Museum in Manchester and he has worked extensively with clients such as the National Science Museum Group, The Lake District National Park and York Minster.
www.heritageretailing.co.uk
Chris Fowler, Operational Partner Consultant
One of our greatest challenges is to run Heritage attractions in a sustainable way. Chris combines his experience to provide practical advice to achieve a sustainable operation. This will typically involve bringing a team of staff and volunteers together to achieve the aspirations of the organisation and enabling the generation of much needed funds.
Chris has hands on Operational experience gained over 35 years in the Retail, Buying and Distribution sector. Change management and the implementation of new processes and systems featured strongly during this period. In the last 10 years he has put his experience to use in the Charities sector managing one of the largest estates for the National Trust taking it from loss to an exceptional performer. He has also been involved at national level with advice to the National Trust and now operates as Christopher John Associates Ltd.
