Bath Preservation Trust has appointed museum and heritage specialist Spencer Hancock as its first Chief Operating Officer.
Mr Hancock joined the charity in September following a national recruitment process for the newly created role, which has been established to support the growth and development of the Trust’s museums and visitor attractions.
He will work alongside the senior leadership team to oversee day-to-day operations, visitor experience, facilities, events, marketing and commercial development across the Trust’s sites, including No. 1 Royal Crescent, Beckford’s Tower, the Herschel Museum of Astronomy and the Museum of Bath Architecture.
Mr Hancock is well known in Bath’s cultural sector, having previously served as Head of Visitor Experience and Commercial at the Holburne Museum. He is also involved with Bath Arts Collective and the Curious Minds Festival.
Bath Preservation Trust chief executive Alex Sherman said the appointment came at an important time for the organisation, which is preparing for the reopening of the Museum of Bath Architecture in 2027 and continuing to invest in visitor experiences across its museum portfolio.
He said Mr Hancock would bring “fantastic experience and enthusiasm” to the role.
Speaking about his appointment, Mr Hancock said Bath’s museums had played a key role in his professional life.
“The Trust’s ambition and care for its heritage really resonate with me,” he said. “I’m looking forward to working closely with the teams, supporting their creativity and ensuring our museums remain welcoming, inspiring places for everyone.”
Bath Preservation Trust runs four museums across the city and relies on visitor income, donations, grants and membership support.