ABOUT COMPASS HERITAGE
Helping heritage organisations, museums and NGOs gain direction, build resilience and achieve confident, successful outcomes.
Compass Heritage is led by Dr Matthew Tanner MBE, one of the UK's most experienced heritage leaders and an internationally recognised authority on maritime heritage, museum strategy, industrial heritage and ship conservation. I work with museums, charities, cultural organisations and historic vessel projects to bring clarity, rigour and momentum to ambitious or complex work.
My approach combines senior strategic leadership with grounded operational experience built over more than three decades in the sector. Collaboration sits at the heart of how I work, ensuring that practical, well-judged solutions are identified and delivered in ways that make a genuine and lasting difference.
Where projects benefit from additional specialist input, I draw on trusted senior partners and associates with complementary expertise across heritage, museums, conservation, design, project management, commercial development and governance. This allows Compass Heritage to scale appropriately, bringing the right capability to each commission while retaining clear leadership and delivery accountability.
My work spans strategy and masterplanning, leadership development, interpretation and storytelling, historic vessels, organisational development, commercial planning and governance strengthening.
WHO I AM
I am the former CEO of the SS Great Britain Trust, where I led a multi-award-winning 23-year transformation recognised nationally and internationally. I now work globally as a consultant, mentor and advisor to organisations seeking success, purposeful direction or organisational advancement — whether developing masterplans, strengthening governance arrangements, supporting complex projects or mentoring senior leaders.
"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)
EXPERIENCE & BACKGROUND
Advisor inter alia to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, International Maritime Organization, Lloyd's Register Foundation, Hong Kong Maritime Museum, Classic Boat Museum, HMS Unicorn Preservation Society, the National Trust, Brooklands Museum Trust, HMS Victory at the National Museum of the Royal Navy, Australian National Maritime Museum, and others
CEO, SS Great Britain Trust (2000–2023)
Chair, HMS Victory Technical Committee
Honorary Vice President & Former Chair, Association of Independent Museums
Honorary Life Fellow & Former President, International Congress of Maritime Museums
Former Member, Arts Council England Regional Council (South West)
Extensive experience with ACE and NLHF Resilience, EOI, Development and Delivery National Lottery stages
Specialist in industrial & maritime heritage, historic vessels and international historic fleet strategy
Recognised for building a strong commercial culture, award-winning visitor experiences and an internationally respected organisational model
Author, speaker and mentor in museum leadership, governance and strategy
VALUES
My approach combines strategic thinking with practical delivery. I listen carefully, debate and diagnose the real issues and help organisations gain clarity and momentum. Clients value my clear analysis, constructive challenge and deep experience across the entire heritage project cycle.
Clarity
Cutting through complexity to establish confident direction
Integrity
Honest, evidence-based advice clients can trust
Creativity
Imaginative but grounded ideas shaped by real-world constraints
Pragmatism
Solutions that deliver results in real organisations
Partnership
Collaborative ways of working with Boards, leaders and project teams
EDUCATION & AWARDS
MBE for Services to Maritime Heritage
Honorary Doctorate, University of Bristol
M.A. Classics, University of St Andrews
M.Phil. Maritime Archaeology, University of St Andrews
LEGAL & PROFESSIONAL NOTE
Compass Heritage is a trading name of Ttandem Consulting LLP, where I am a partner. This provides clients with established professional practice and, where helpful, access to additional expert partners and specialist associates to support larger or more complex commissions.