Liz is an experienced professional leader of cultural trusts and venues with a proven track record in engaging audiences with special places with a cultural heritage focus.
Prior to joining Counterculture Liz was Chief Executive of the newly formed Blackpool Heritage and Museum Trust, which opened Showtown, the Museum of Fun and Entertainment in March 2024. This unique and ground breaking a museum and attraction celebrates the dynamic culture, entrepreneurial spirit and inspiring people of the original and greatest Showtown of all.
Previous career roles include opening the multi-award winning Windermere Jetty Museum – £20M heritage lottery funded capital project, opened by HRH King Charles III in April 2019, and led the strategic development of Lakeland Arts – doubling the turnover, footfall and earned income between 2018-2020 . Liz has also run a number of the North West’s leading cultural heritage visitor attractions, including Wigan Pier, Holker Hall and Gardens, Blackwell (The Arts and Crafts House), Abbot Hall Art Gallery, Lytham Hall, and Brockhole on Lake Windermere.
Liz is a leader and influencer in cultural and tourism sectors including her work through membership of the National Trust’s North of England Regional Advisory Group, as a Board member for Cumbria Tourism (2019-2022), being part of the Lake District National Park’s application team for UNESCO World Heritage Inscription, Vice Chair of the Blackpool Cultural Strategy Group, a member Lancashire’s Business Board, and Non-Exec Director at Thackray Medical Museum in Leeds.
Liz has 30 years’ experience in operational delivery, commercial development, bid writing and fundraising, project management, crisis management, business turnaround, stakeholder management and partnership working in the private, public and charitable sectors including with working with grassroots communities through to central government.