Museums • Heritage • Culture • Maritime
CLARITY, STRATEGY, AND DIRECTION
FOR COMPLEX HERITAGE PROJECTS.
Helping museums, heritage bodies and cultural organisations make confident decisions, solve problems, unlock funding, and deliver exceptional visitor experiences.
WELCOME TO COMPASS HERITAGE
Strategic expertise for exceptional heritage outcomes
Compass Heritage is the specialist heritage consultancy led by Dr Matthew Tanner MBE. I provide strategic clarity, leadership support, and practical delivery expertise for museums and heritage organisations across the UK and internationally. Renowned for combining strategic insight with hands-on experience. Combining more than 25 years' experience in senior leadership with practical delivery of award-winning projects, I help teams navigate complex challenges, build solutions, and deliver ambitious cultural projects that work – financially, operationally, and for visitors.
"One of the most outstanding cultural leaders of recent times." (Arts Council England SW)
WHAT I DO
My consultancy is grounded in deep sector experience, honest insight, and a proven ability to help organisations unblock challenges and achieve ambitious outcomes.
I work with Boards, Directors, and project teams to:
clarify vision and strategic direction
strengthen governance and leadership
solve difficult or stalled project challenges
develop masterplans and interpretative frameworks
prepare organisations for major funding bids
shape ambitious but achievable visitor-experience transformations
My approach is honest, rigorous, creative, and grounded in real operational experience.
Explore ServicesFLAGSHIP PROJECTS
A selection of major and long-term engagements.
SS GREAT BRITAIN TRUST (BRISTOL UK)
A 23-year transformation of one of Britain's most important heritage projects. Under my leadership, visitor numbers grew from 80,000 to over 200,000, over £40 million was secured in capital and revenue funding, and the Trust won over 60 national and international awards including:
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UK Museum of the Year prize
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UK Large Visitor Attraction of the Year
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European Prize for Most Welcoming Museum in Europe
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Museums & Heritage Awards: Best Permanent Exhibition (twice)
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Museums & Heritage Awards: Best Conservation Project
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Europa Nostra Prize
- Bristol & Bath Tourism Business of the Year
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Ground-breaking conservation of the giant ship's hull using a world-first environmental control system
- Multi-phase expansion including the Being Brunel Museum and the Brunel Institute in partnership with the University of Bristol.
"Matthew…revolutionised the scientific approach to historic ship conservation and set new worldwide standards for both conservation and interpretation." (University of Bristol Honorary Degree citation)
HONG KONG MARITIME MUSEUM – ORGANISATIONAL REVIEW & STRATEGY
Strategic planning, organisational review, gallery development, and business modelling for the Museum's next major phase of growth. Retained as an ongoing advisor to the senior management team, providing leadership mentoring, interpretative frameworks, and concept development for new galleries.
UN INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANIZATION, LONDON – MUSEUM & GALLERY CONCEPT
Concept development and content framework for a new 150m² museum/gallery at the headquarters of the United Nations International Maritime Organization. Work includes visitor journey, interpretative direction, and a strategic framework for the longer-term museum/heritage offer.
LLOYD'S REGISTER FOUNDATION – HERITAGE STRATEGY & DEVELOPMENT – LONDON, UK
High level strategic options articulated, strengthened clarity and improved alignment between heritage, research and public benefit, and conceptual groundwork for captivating new partnerships and narrative frameworks. Supporting the Foundation to build further the strategic position for heritage within its mission of Engineering a Safer Future.
WHY WORK WITH COMPASS HERITAGE?
25+ years of senior leadership and award-winning project delivery
Strategic clarity combined with practical delivery experience
Insightful and focused guidance through complex or high-stakes challenges
Trusted advisor to major national and international institutions
Strong track record with NLHF projects and major capital funding
Specialist maritime, historic ship and technical conservation expertise
Clear communication, stakeholder alignment, and decisive problem-solving
Ability to draw on trusted Compass Heritage expert partners and specialist associates where needed