AIM ‘The Next Horizon?’ Turnaround and Closure: Briefing Session and Q&A

About this event 

 The Association of Independent Museums (AIM) publication ‘The Next Horizon? The practicalities of turnaround and closure’ (2025) aims to support museums considering turnaround or closure due to challenging circumstances.  

 Museum Development Midlands (MDM) have invited the authors, Ruth Lesirge and Hilary Barnard, HBRL Consulting, to deliver a 90 minute briefing on how this publication can support museums facing significant challenge or change. 

 This session offers an introduction to the guide, and an opportunity to consider how it can support your work either now or in the future.  

 By the end of this session, attendees will:

• Have an overview of the background, scope and contents of the AIM ‘The Next Horizon? The practicalities of turnaround and closure’ guidance  
• Have a better understanding of how the guidance can support museums when considering either turnaround or possible closure 
• Know where to go for further support should challenges arise  

  Your museum does not need to be considering turnaround or closure to attend. This session is open to anyone wishing to understand the practical challenges and options of turnaround and closure.  

 The event will be delivered via MDM’s Zoom account and will include a short break. Questions can be asked verbally or through Zoom’s chat function.  

 If you have any concerns about accessibility or usability for these features please contact enquiries@mdmidlands.org.uk  

 This event supports the Arts Council England Dynamism Investment Principle  

 About the trainers 

 Ruth Lesirge and Hilary Barnard are the founders of HBRL Consulting. They are the co-authors of 

Successful Museum Governance (AIM 2020) and the AIM guide to the 2022 Charities Act. They specialise in governance, strategy, and leadership and organisational development, including mergers and partnerships, for museums and heritage organisations, charities and not for profit organisations.  

 Both Ruth and Hilary are consultants on AIM’s Aim Higher Programme, which supports board development to strengthen governance https://aim-museums.co.uk/programmes/aim-higher/  

 Further details of their consultancy work can be found at www.hilarybarnard.com  

 Who should attend? 

 This session is open to anyone involved in museums at any level, whether paid or voluntary. No prior knowledge or experience is needed.  

 Maximum two delegates per organisation. Priority will be given to delegates from non-NPO and non-National museums in the Midlands which are Accredited or officially Working Towards Accreditation.  

Please note: We require you to complete the full booking form in order to confirm your eligibility for the session. The main booking form questions will appear after you have been through the 'check out' process. If you do not complete this form we will be in contact and reserve the right to cancel your ticket if we do not receive a response. 

Need further support? 

 If your museum is actively discussing turnaround or closure, then our follow-up workshop in November will provide more interactive, reflective support. This session is open only to senior leaders and trustees in museums that are actively considering turnaround and closure [hyperlink to event page] You do not need to have attended the briefing in order to book your place on the workshop; both are designed to be standalone events.  

 MDM’s Stronger Museum Programme can also provide 1-to-1 and intensive support if your museum is undergoing significant challenge or change. You can read more about our Strong Museums programme here [hyper link to Stranger Museums page]  

 Accessibility 

This event will be auto-captioned through Zoom. If you would benefit from any other form of access support, including live captioning, please answer ‘yes’ to the access requirements question on the booking form and email the MDM team as early as possible stating the support you require. 

All participants will receive an email containing a Zoom link to the training prior to the event. The email will be sent to the email address used for booking. If you have not received an email the day before the event please contact us. 

  Important Information 

 https://mdmidlands.org.uk/code-of-conduct  

 https://mdmidlands.org.uk/booking-terms-and-conditions  

  Contact Us 

If you need any further information or would like to speak to a member of the team please contact us:  

Enquiries@mdmidlands.org.uk 

01952 435 943