What we do
Awen
Consult
The Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl’s much-loved theatre has been awarded £18m Levelling Up Funding from the UK Government, following a successful application by Bridgend County Borough Council working in close partnership with Awen Cultural Trust. The redevelopment of the Grand Pavilion represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for us to safeguard this iconic building for many years to come and ensure it retains its position as a flagship regional arts and cultural venue of choice.
With a wealth of experience in the arts, culture, heritage and tourism sectors, operating places and spaces across the county boroughs of Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend and Rhondda Cynon Taf, the senior leadership team at Awen are well placed to offer high quality, practical consultancy support to local authorities, venues, event planners and other public sector organisations.
As Awen’s own creation arose as an alternative delivery model for Bridgend County Borough Council’s cultural services in 2014/15, we are uniquely placed to understand the motivations and outcomes needed to ensure the successful future of key community assets during this difficult and challenging financial climate facing organisations of all sizes.
Our skills
- Setting up cultural trusts
- Strategic growth
- Business planning
- Change programmes
- Opening venues
- Partnership agreements
- Curating events
- Fundraising
- Increasing revenue
- Delivering social impact
Through access to our established network of partners such as RPT Consulting, Centurion VAT and Initiate Architecture, Awen Consult can support your business development, capital project requirements and planning processes, including:
- Finance and management accounting
- Policy and procedures
- People
- Secondary spend opportunities
- Marketing and communications
- Graphic design
- Public library management
Our consultants
Richard Hughes
Chief Executive
Richard became the first Chief Executive of Awen Cultural Trust in October 2015, overseeing the strategic growth of Awen to become one of Wales’ most recognised cultural organisations. With his extensive leadership experience, Richard has developed a portfolio of successful large scale change programmes ranging from alternative service delivery models to large scale cultural capital projects.
Ceri Evans
Director of Development & Partnerships
Having started her career in arts marketing, arts education and audience development, Ceri has worked in a variety of theatres over the past 25 years including a number one receiving house, a concert hall, and a mid-scale producing and presenting venue with touring company, Ceri then moved into general theatre management and programming.
Toni Cosson
Head of Marketing and Communications
Toni has over 25 years’ experience of working in public relations, marketing and communications within the private, public and third sectors in South Wales. Toni’s team at Awen includes arts marketing and digital marketing specialists, content creators and a senior graphic designer.
Case studies
Awen Consult x Freedom Leisure
In 2017, Awen Consult supported Freedom Leisure in the transfer of the Gatehouse Theatre, Ancient High House and Stafford Castle, into its portfolio, following a successful tender process.
This was a major change for both Freedom and the Staffordshire County Council. Over a three-year contract period, Awen advised on the theatre and heritage sites, ensuring the unique trading patterns and operations of the Gatehouse was understood within a wider leisure-based portfolio. At the same time, the subsidy was reduced significantly.
Awen Consult x Newbridge Memo
In partnership with Newbridge Memo’s Board of Trustees and the National Heritage Lottery Fund, Awen Consult carried out a rapid review of the venue’s operation and governance processes.
The review focused on the Memo’s strategic context and market position, governance and culture, and operational performance, and provided a set of urgent and medium-term recommendations. This review allowed volunteers and stakeholders to take the first steps towards a more cohesive plan to recover their position and provide for a more stable future.
Awen Consult x Caerphilly County Borough Council
Caerphilly County Borough Council has appointed Awen Consult to develop a transition strategy, with various funding options and delivery models being explored for Blackwood Miners’ Institute.
Awen has been appointed due to their expertise in this field and their experience of similar transitions from public sector ownership to independent models of operation.
