Cultural Associates Oxford

East Sussex County Council appointed CAO to create a robust governance structure for our cultural leadership group and develop a tool for prioritising cultural investment. From the outset they demonstrated genuine interest in our journey. They were patient and perceptive listeners and knew how to challenge us whilst respecting our red lines, nothing was too much trouble for them and they brought a broad variety of knowledge and experience to the table which really enriched our understanding of what we were trying to achieve. They were also good humoured and kind. The result is that we have achieved what we set out to do and really enjoyed the process. Council

East Sussex Council
Sally Staples, Cultural Strategy Manager.

Culture Sheffield commissioned CAO to deliver a series of three workshops to strengthen leadership skills among emerging and mid-career cultural leaders in the city. They have been an exceptional partner, attentive, thoroughly prepared, and consistently delivering high-quality facilitation grounded in deep experience. Participant feedback was overwhelmingly positive, prompting us to extend the programme for a further 12 months. We look forward to continuing our partnership with CAO as a contributor to the ambitions of Sheffield’s Culture Strategy.

Culture Sheffield
Frazer Scott

Manchester Literature Festival commissioned Cultural Associates Oxford to develop a five-year strategic plan for the organisation to use as a framework for developing its activities. They approached the assignment with great professionalism, innovation and energy, ensuring the staff and board were fully engaged at every stage and consulting widely with our stakeholders. They were insightful, direct, sensitive, realistic and demonstrated an excellent understanding of the sector we operate in and our particular needs. The strategy sets out the key values and principles on which our activities over the next five years will be shaped and CAO have added considerable value to MLF in achieving our ambitions.

Manchester Literature Festival
Peter Mearns, Former Chair.

The Rothschild Foundation commissioned Cultural Associates Oxford to scope and develop a blueprint for training opportunities in the heritage sector at Waddeson Manor. Lucy and her team’s approach to the delivery of this project was exceptional and it was particularly beneficial to have the involvement and expertise of the range of Associates that worked on the project. The activity included research, consultation and the delivery of a blueprint. The blueprint needed to meet both the vision of the Rothschild Foundation’s Trustees whilst also delivering on the practicalities of implementing such as training programme within a busy and diverse environment. CAO delivered on both, not least because they were able to quickly grasp and work with the nuances of a complex operation such as the Rothschild Foundation and Waddesdon Manor whilst building a relationship of trust and openness with Waddesdon departments. This, combined with their ability to draw on their own expertise and external research with other relevant organisations, delivered a blueprint that was bought into my staff and secured the full approval of Rothschild Foundation Trustees. Lucy and her team were efficient, flexible, generous and thorough. We would highly recommend CAO.

The Rothschild Foundation
Ellie Stout

We engaged CAO to provide a piece of consultancy about digital knowledge within the heritage sector. They worked to our very challenging timetable, and delivered to schedule and budget. Despite the limitations of the timescale, and working at the worst time of year to survey heritage professionals, CAO explored the issues well, used a variety of techniques to gain insight from the heritage community and provided a detailed, useful and very well presented final report. CAO have been a delight to work with, challenging us as well as themselves to ensure best results. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to others looking for informed insight into the cultural and heritage sector.

University of Leeds
Rachel Young, Digital Education Service.

Cultural Associates Oxford were great advisers and collaborators. They were personable and engaged closely with staff, volunteers, trustees and stakeholders. They took time to understand us and worked closely with us, developing ideas iteratively, which led to excellent outcomes including highly appropriate recommendations. They kept us regularly updated and were easy to work with.

Chiltern Open Air Museum
Verena Clark, Chair of Trustees.