Presentation given by Lloyd Burnell on 23 May 2019 to the SWWE branch in Bristol

1. 1

2. 2

3. Context
Project timeline
Four of the many challenges:
• Stakeholder management
• Finance and fundraising
• Listed Building redevelopment
• Large object installations including Concorde
Outputs
Lessons Learned
Q&A
Introduction

4. British & Colonial (later, Bristol) Aeroplane Company
established in 1910 at Filton by Sir George White
Home to Concorde, with significant design, manufacture
and all maiden flights from Filton
Direct ancestry through to Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems,
MBDA and Airbus
South West England is UK’s largest aerospace region:
• 14 global leading companies
• 98,000 jobs, £7bn GVA and 90% export
Context

5. UK engineering industry needs 186,000 new STEM
graduates and technicians every year to 2024.
Conservative 20,000 forecast shortfall in STEM graduates
(assuming retention of international workers)
Nearly 40% of UK employers report difficulties recruiting
staff with relevant STEM skills
Only 22% of A Level physics students are girls; 15% of
engineering and technology undergraduates are women;
1 in 8 of UK engineers are women (one of lowest in
Europe)

6. Our Vision
An aerospace industrial museum and learning centre in Filton that inspires
and entertains today's and future generations through the stories and
achievements of Bristol’s aerospace industry - past, present and future.

7. Enter
heading hereConserve and present nationally-significant aviation
heritage collections
Celebrate the heritage of the UK’s aerospace industry in
the Bristol region and promote its future as a global centre
of excellence
Advance learning, training and skills especially in science,
design, technology and engineering
Mission

8. Bristol Aero Collection, started by aviation heritage
enthusiasts in late 1980s, becomes a charity in 1992
Collections stored and on limited display, first in Banwell
and then Kemble Airfield
Later in 1990s, Aviation Steering Committee, led by South
Gloucestershire Council
Concorde retires to Filton in November 2003. Opens to the
public by BAC volunteers
Timeline

9. Three options appraisals and feasibility studies
commissioned
2001 - £5-6m capital costs, 150,000 visitors
2003 - £6.5m to £10m capital costs, 40-100,000 visitors
2005 - £37.5m capital costs, 175,000 visitors
In 2007, The Concorde Trust is formed – Bristol Aero
Collection, Airbus, Rolls-Royce, South Gloucestershire
Council, Bristol Airport and others

10. 3.3 acre site secured at Cribbs Causeway. Further
feasibility study in 2008 ranging from £5m to £15m capital
costs and 40,0000 to 100,000+ visitors
The Concorde Trust appoints a Project Director in 2009
Application made to Heritage Lottery Fund in 2011 – but
unsuccessful:
• Security of collection and finances
• Breadth of offer and future viability

11. BAC and The Concorde Trust merged in May 2012 to form
Bristol Aero Collection Trust
New 9-acre site secured on Filton Airfield following its
closure in late 2012
£4.7m pledged by major corporates and second successful
HLF application for £4.5m made in early 2013 against a
c. £14.5m project

12. Summer 2013 Brabazon Hangar leased for storage and
large object conservation and restoration
Second round permission granted by Heritage Lottery Fund
in 2014, now for £4.9m
Capital works commence on site in September 2015
Public opening of Aerospace Bristol in October 2017

13. From a £5 million project in 2008 to £20 million by 2017
From a small volunteer founder-trustee run organisation to
a large professionally-operated museum
From around 2,500 visitors a year to the collection on
display at Kemble to 2,500 in the first weekend of opening
Aerospace Bristol and 160,000 in first year
From 1 member of a staff to 40 FTE employees and a
£3.5m turnover business

14. Trustees, member and volunteers – many amateur aviation
enthusiasts and collectors
Leaders and influencers in aerospace industry, local and
national government, education, professional bodies
Local and national media
Stakeholder Management

15. Landowners – J T Baylis, BAE Systems (twice),
Bridgehouse Capital, YTL Land and Property
Potential funders – National Lottery Heritage Fund,
corporate partners, statutory bodies, trusts and
foundations, major donors
Owners of heritage assets – BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce,
Airbus, British Airways, Science Museum, Bristol Museum
& Art Gallery, RAF Museum

16. Stakeholder analysis and mapping
Competing visions and conflicts of interest
Single minded vision and mission, agreed project scope
and budget, clear narrative, content and design

17. Registered charity and Company Limited by Guarantee
No existing museum of scale or track record of operational
success
No capital assets except around £300,000 in cash
Ambitions for a £15m capital project
Cause-related benefits not financial returns on investment
Finance and Fundraising

18. £100,000 committed from reserves to fund First Round
Heritage Lottery Fund application
Secured pledged match-funding from BAE Systems,
Rolls-Royce and Airbus for £4.5m
Engaged professional fundraising team
Successful Second Round HLF submission for £4.9m

19. Founding partners leveraged further funding
• £2m LIBOR grants through DCMS
• £2.3m local authority
• £2.5m trusts and foundations
• £0.8m other corporates
• £0.5 major donors
Managing scope and quality vs. timescales, funding and
cash flow
Secured loans against future fundraising and
operating surpluses

20. Hangar 16S built in 1917 for the Royal Flying Corp as part
of a WWI Air Acceptance Park
Grade II Listed by Historic England
Very poor state of repair, significant water ingress, rotten
beams and fascias, lead paint, asbestos (internal and
external)
Listed Building

21. Before After
Before After

22. Before After
Before After

23. Before After
Before After

24. Collections of large and small objects, archive and
ephemera over many decades by BAC members
Not cared for to professional standards and poorly
documented
Strict HLF condition on security of ownership
Four moves before 2013 relocation to workshop store in
Brabazon Hangar
Large Objects

25. Three years and 100+ volunteers to deliver exhibition-
ready objects
Identify gaps in the collection against narrative e.g. space
objects. Negotiations with national museums
Every object wrapped for protection. Temporary and
permanent locations mapped and programmed
Final move of large objects, including Concorde
in early 2017

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31. Enter
heading here Converted 3.7 hectare site and restored and repurposed
Grade II World War One hangar
Provided cultural, recreational and business amenities
• 3,000 m2 of new exhibition gallery spaces
• 3 dedicated learning suites
• New visitor centre with shop, café, play area
• Hospitality, events and catering operation
• 150 seat lecture theatre
• Archive store
Outputs

32. Over 200,000 visitors to date (on target to reach 150,000
per annum)
Over 10,000 school children taking part of learning
activities
Around 150 registered volunteers
40 FTE jobs created

33. Be ambitious but realistic
Have a common vision and mission
Focus on and manage key stakeholder relationships
Strong leadership and governance
Employ the best people that you can afford
Be persistent and passionate
Enter
heading here
Lessons

34. Thank you