Review of Achievements against the Corporate Plan 2016-2021

Preservation through balanced and appropriate re-use leading to a sustainable future:

• The Trust has maintained and grown the use of the estate’s heritage assets, now generating £2.6m in sustainable ‘rental’ income per annum that is in balance with other uses across the site.
• The Fitted Rigging House has now been brought into productive re-use, generating c.£350k income per annum. This seeks to close the Trust’s annual funding gap whilst also improving the visitor experience to our 19^th & 20^th Century galleries; our revised library and reading room; and enhancing our volunteer work and rest facilities.
• A traffic management and car parking strategy has been implemented to great effect in-line with the improvements above to ensure a safe, pedestrian friendly environment that supports the mixed-use of the site.
• Following an increase in annual income, the Trust’s Management and Maintenance Plan has been reviewed with new resources now available to ensure that appropriate charitable expenditure is assigned to the maintenance of our important heritage assets.

Further development of relationships with stakeholders and funders that subscribe to our long-term vision:

• The Trust has raised its profile on a national scale through internationally significant events such as the Battle of Medway and Festival 400 celebrations – both of which have considerably enhanced Medway Council’s wider strategy of putting Medway on the map.
• Recognition for the Trust’s work has been achieved through numerous awards given over the past 4 years including the Historic England Angel Award for Best Large Preservation project and being shortlisted for the RIBA Stirling Prize 2017.
• Relationships have been strengthened with key stakeholders and funders through the delivery of the Fitted Rigging House project.
• Our Economic Impact to the wider Medway area has now increased to over £29m per annum.
• Active engagement with both Medway Council and the University of Kent (both key stakeholders) has led to the creation of a “Creative Hub” within Medway that will continue into the future.
• The Trust has maintained its Accredited Museum Status and has now become an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation, leading a consortium of Kent museums to recognise best practice in visitor experience and education in the region.

Being an entrepreneurial charity:

• We define entrepreneurship as the ability to identify and assess opportunities, adopting and developing the best where these opportunities provide a financial or charitable return. This culture is embedded throughout our organisation and has led to the creation of a strategy of “1,000 small improvements that collectively make a big impact” – outlined further in this plan.
• The Trust continues to be a financially astute charity – an approach that has seen the organisation overcome huge challenges to become financially self-sustaining on a revenue level in the past 35 years.
• A commercial approach to the management of operations within the Ropery continues to support the inherent costs of maintaining and operating a Victorian Factory space for the enjoyment and education of all our visitors.
• Catering and Retail returns following the completion of Command of the Oceans, which included significant improvements to retail and catering outlets, have now increased by 27% over a three-year period, supporting the development of enhanced customer service and wider charitable development.
• The site continues to be a major film location contributing significant income through locations fees and a partnership with Neal Street Productions (Call the Midwife) has seen the launch of the official Call the Midwife Location Tour, securing an additional £105,400 income per annum.