Testimonials  

I have been fortunate to work with many inspirational and talented people. This is what some of them say about my approach to work...

‘Martin has huge subject expertise which he marries with a warm collegiality to great effect. As an enthusiastic but untutored entrant to the heritage world, I and my colleagues were so well guided to make good decisions, which we could own and which gained much-needed funding. Martin is always generous with his knowledge and keen to point you to others who can help’.
Celia Atherton OBE, former Director of Social Justice, Dartington

‘Martin’s lodestar is his integrity, which unfailingly guides his creative, strategic and astute thinking, as well as his warm and supportive relationships with those he works with. I have known Martin for many years, and we have collaborated as consultants on arts and heritage projects, and more recently in his capacity as a trustee. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience of the cultural and heritage sector and always delivers much more than is expected of him with warmth, good humour, and remarkable perception’.
Janet Bell MBE, Director of Glastonbury Abbey

‘Martin is an experienced museums and culture professional whose work is based on strong ethical foundations. He has a detailed knowledge of the grant-aid landscape and an unusually broad understanding of the breadth and depth of the UK's cultural sector. Martin has a clear-thinking approach to governance issues and combines a strong empathetic approach with exceptional straight-talking inter-personal skills’.
Stephen Bird MBE, former Head of Heritage Services, Bath

‘Martin has made a significant contribution to Torbay’s heritage and cultural sector. The adoption of Torbay’s Heritage Strategy, working collaboratively with the Planning Team and Katherine Findlay, continues to place Torbay in a positive funding position and help secure a future for our heritage assets. His knowledge of the funding landscape has been instrumental in bringing long term change to the Bay and will leave a lasting positive legacy for the area. Martin’s work with the Planning Team has shown how important culture is in placemaking. We have learnt a great deal from his knowledge and expertise and have found him a pleasure to work with’.
Jim Blackwell, Service Manager – Development Management; and Robert Palmer, Principal Historic Environment Officer, Torbay Council

‘Martin’s strategic, considered, and thoughtful approach makes him an invaluable asset to any piece of work he gives his time, energy, and passion to. In Torbay, these skills combined with his personable and amiable nature, have ensured that success has been built upon success as a result of his own work, the confidence he inspires, and the open and collaborative attitude he encourages that has unlocked and levelled up the potential of partners and stakeholders in the area’.
Jacob Brandon, Chair of Torbay Culture

‘Martin brings a wealth of professional experience in culture and heritage in both public sector and charitable trusts. We have collaborated as fellow trustees at Glastonbury Abbey over several years. He gets quickly to the root of a problem, offering astute insights and creative solutions. He’s able to challenge constructively and thoughtfully, bringing warmth and good humour to every situation’.
Professor Roberta Gilchrist FSA FBA, University of Reading

‘It felt like a real privilege to work with Martin. He is an exceptional colleague who effortlessly blends warmth and thoughtfulness with strategic insight, enriching our endeavours. These qualities alongside his proactive communication, meticulous planning and astute decision-making ensured as a leader, he was always steering us towards success and a culture of excellence. Martin fostered an environment of support and inspiration, which enabled me to thrive. I would relish the opportunity to collaborate with him again’.
Melinda Humphrey, Freelance Evaluation Consultant

‘We worked closely with Martin during a two year period as part of our work leading on the Cultural Development Fund (CDF) Peer Learning Network. As one of the seven national second round CDF recipients, Torbay Culture was a key member of the CDF2 Network. As lead partner for Torbay, Martin was a very active member and highly respected voice in the CDF Network, including his excellent programming for the first CDF2 study visit nationally, hosting in Torbay. Always an absolute pleasure to work with, highly knowledgeable and always generous with sharing his knowledge, understanding of the sector and invaluable insight. We would not hesitate for a second in recommending Martin or working with him again on future projects and we very much hope to be able to do so very soon’.
Jason Jones-Hall, Director of Development, Five10Twelve

‘It's an absolute pleasure to work with Martin, he brings experience, intelligence and thoughtfulness to the cultural agenda in Torbay. He is engaging and inclusive, and keen to ensure that the sector has a voice within the boundaries of Torbay but also externally, and he helps us to have that voice and that joined up approach’.
Maureen McAllister, Operations Director, Jazz Hands CIC, Palace Theatre Paignton

‘Martin's calm approach to undertaking major and complex projects designed to enrich the cultural ecology of the Bay belies his meticulous project management and drive to see results.  He approaches everything he does with flair and unfailing generosity of spirit towards colleagues and partners involved’.
Heather Norman-Soderlind, Chair of Agatha Christie Festival Limited

‘Martin has a warm and open approach that immediately puts you at ease and encourages free and engaging discussion. He will make himself available for a call when guidance is needed and is generous in sharing his extensive knowledge and experience to support specific ambitions for the theatre. When time is valuable, Martin is excellent at keeping to point, and brings an efficiency to board meetings that aids genuine productive outcomes. His skill in listening to ideas and then giving practical and helpful suggestions has been of real help to me in my role as Director’.
Gabrielle Rabbitts, Director of the Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis

‘I have worked both with and for Martin at different times since we first met. Whether Martin was a cultural sector partner, co-trainer or client, his insight, inclusiveness, imagination, knowledge, purposeful networking, strategic understanding, conscientiousness and commitment to communities has always evidently informed his practice. Working with Martin is a really positive experience and good things always happen’.
Mary Schwarz, Arts & Cultural Sector Consultant

‘Martin is excellent at what he does - very organized, calm, but also managing to get a lot done quickly, and well. His authority, passion and kindness, makes the job of the people working with him so much easier and more fun. I have worked with a lot of museums and curators in my career, but Martin’s combined skills and warmth, puts him in a different league’.
Nahem Shoa, Artist