Avoncroft Museum

Avoncroft Museum prepares to re-open with new Director

Anew Director has been appointed at Avoncroft Museum. Zoe Willems who previously worked as Visitor Experience Manager for the National Trust at Wightwick Manor and Moseley Old Hall properties is to take over running the Bromsgrove open air heritage attraction from mid-February.

In her role as Visitor Experience Manager for the National Trust, she oversaw an innovative programme of events, workshops and educational family activities at both Wightwick Manor and Moseley Old Hall, which both saw visitor numbers grow and income increase before the 2020 pandemic.

Zoe has an extensive track record in charity regulation and governance, having worked at the Charity Commission, as a charity consultant, governance and fundraising specialist, and as a Director of the Fundraising Standards Board and trustee of the Small Charities Coalition.

“There’s certainly some hard work ahead, but this is a bit of a dream come true for me!” said Zoe about her appointment. “I am thrilled to be appointed as Director of Avoncroft. It is a fabulous place, with so many buildings from different eras all telling stories of life in the Midlands, from milling wheat to making nails. I’m longing to see it come to life again, and will be working hard with the support of trustees, volunteers, members and the local community to get the doors open again as soon as we possibly can.” Due to Covid-19 the museum only opened part time for a few months in 2020, after closing for the first lockdown in March. The ongoing nature of the pandemic has led to the recent difficult decision to reduce the staff team to a core recovery team to ensure a future for the charity. Now it is preparing for its reopening later this year. Michael Woolley, the Chair of Trustees said “We are extremely grateful to all our staff for all the work they’ve done for Avoncroft. Sadly, with visitor admissions being a key source of income, and with such uncertainty about when we will be able to welcome visitors back, the Trustees had to make major cost savings to prepare the charity for recovery later in the year.” “We are pleased to have appointed Zoe as the new Director. She has a very broad experience base, a clear passion for our heritage and how people can engage with it. With her leadership, we are confident Avoncroft be able to open its doors once more later this year. We look forward to working with her to re-build the Museum as a ‘must-see’ attraction here in the Midlands.” For more information about Avoncroft Museum please visit www.avoncroft.org.uk or email director@avoncroft.org.uk

New Director Zoe Willem