Join us for our free annual Sector Thought Leader Webinar, Innovations in Programme Funding: Small Changes – Big Impact on Friday 25 September 2026, 12:00 – 13:00 (UK time).
All museums across the UK are facing significant challenges in relation to funding. How can you build museum reliance into programme funding? What small changes can you implement that increase museum income, particularly non-restricted funds?
The webinar will focus on institutions who have taken really interesting approaches to engaging new funding partners for their programmes, with the goal of financial sustainability for the organisation as a whole.
Hosts:
Lizzy Moriarty, Museum and Cultural Heritage Consultant
Gemma Hollington, Director of Exhibitions and Partnerships at Ocean Photographer of the Year
Speakers:Â
Liam Darbon, Interim Managing Director, Tate
Liam served as Director of Audiences and Innovation at Tate from 2024 to 2026, focusing on the development of cross-channel experiences that deepen engagement with art, artists and ideas. His work spanned audience and brand development, digital platforms, membership, commercial activity and new initiatives supporting Tate’s public programme and long-term sustainability.
Prior to this role, Liam served as Director of Digital and Innovation at Tate, where he led the organisation’s digital, trading and innovation strategies to strengthen Tate’s reach, audience engagement and loyalty. Earlier in his career he held senior commercial leadership roles at the John Lewis Partnership and has also worked at American Express and the marketing agency Syncredible.
Liam is the Director Sponsor for Tate’s LGBTQIA+ network and a founding member of BusinessLDN’s Culture Council. He has guest lectured at King’s College London, Loughborough University and Bayes Business School on design led thinking and strategic marketing. He was previously a Trustee of Birmingham Museums Trust and is the current Chair of Birmingham Museums Trading Limited.
Clare Tomlinson, Commercial Income Lead, West Horsley Place Trust
Clare has worked in commercial operations within Arts and Heritage sites for over 20 years, covering areas including venue hire, retail and licensing.
As Head of Events at the British Museum she oversaw the delivery of over 200 events a year, account managing high level sponsors and producing major exhibition openings. She then moved to the museum’s international department, delivering a major consultancy project to curate, install and launch two inaugural exhibitions in a new arts centre in Saudi Arabia. Following this role she joined the Henry Moore Foundation as Head of Enterprise and Visitor Services, covering all commercial income streams and the visitor experience at the Studios and Gardens site in Hertfordshire.
Most recently she has been at the Lightbox Gallery, drafting and delivering their commercial strategy and from July 2026 is the new commercial income lead at West Horsley Place. She is a commercial advisor to the board at the American Museum and Gardens in Bath.Â
Clare Dobson, Interim Co-Director, Towner Eastbourne
