We are a creative consultancy specialising in planning, experience design and placemaking for cultural and heritage environments. Our collaborative and interdisciplinary approach weaves story and experience to create places and exhibits which are transformative for people and organisations.

With over 40 years’ experience working across the cultural, heritage, museums, and attractions sectors, our portfolio of projects includes early-stage options appraisals, feasibility studies business and activity plans, audience testing and consultation, placemaking and landscape interventions, visitor experience definition and design, as well as branding and wayfinding. Our creative solutions are audience-focused, providing highly engaging social and learning experiences which enhance well-being for diverse audiences.

Haley Sharpe enjoys a wealth of knowledge in the management of complex issues including attracting and engaging audiences, storyline and content development, communication, accessibility, displaying collections and supporting funding applications. We also have extensive skills providing experience and digital design and contract administration for projects large and small.  Current commissions include Leicester Cathedral Revealed, Interpretation Masterplan for the Mourne Gullion Strangford UNESCO Global Geopark, Hull: Yorkshire’s Maritime City, Wrexham Museum and the Welsh National Football Museum and Norwich Castle: Royal Palace Reborn.

Consultancy commissions include development planning for heritage, cultural and visitor projects and destinations, often as part of comprehensive sustainable regeneration and access initiatives within listed buildings and sensitive historic environments.  Recent commissions include Museum of Croydon Transformation Planning, Activity Planning for the Egypt Exploration Society, Thanet Museums Governance Review, Business Planning for Birnbeck Pier, Strategic Development for the International Thoroughbred Trail (Ireland) and Options Development and NLHF Support for Watford Museum Redevelopment. Our approach is to assist clients to make informed decisions determining the optimal development and creative approach to provide sustainable visitor experiences.

For Local Authority clients, we can be commissioned under the ESPO Framework – please get in touch for more information.

To see projects featured in our showreel visit https://vimeo.com/949626944

Service Offer

Our in-house team can offer a wide range of services, including:

• Masterplanning
• Business and Feasibility Assessments
• Activity and Operational Planning
• Audience Studies and Consultation
• Interpretative Development
• Content Coordination
• Experience Visioning
• Concept Visualisation
• Developed and Technical Design
• Placemaking
• Wayfinding and Signage
• Branding
• Art Direction and Media Management
• Project Management

Projects

Haley Sharpe has worked for numerous leading heritage, cultural and natural environment organisations across the UK, Ireland and globally.   Recent portfolio highlights include:

Rutland Museums Options Appraisal and Experience Design Study

As part of wider Levelling Up initiatives, exploration of options for development of Rutland Museum and potential interpretative partnerships the client team, including spatial analysis, visitor number projections and high-level business planning.

Watford Museum Relocation

Business and activity planning, consultation, funding application and interpretative design support to facilitate this NLHF-funded museum transformation.

Museum of Hartlepool Case for Investment

Working with architectural partners, undertaking a strategic review, collections and visitor experience visioning exercise, development options and financial case for investment, resulting in clear way forward for the site.

American Battle Monuments Commission

Visitor welcome, signage and exhibition projects at commemorative and cemetery sites across the UK, Europe and North Africa.

Norwich Castle: Royal Palace Reborn

NLHF-funded redevelopment of this historic site, including immersive exhibitions and collection-rich displays.

Hull: Yorkshire’s Maritime City

Interpretative design, branding and contract management for this city-wide maritime heritage redevelopment.

Boston Manor House

Business and operational planning, interpretation and experience design, and landscape intervention design for the re-imagining of this hidden London gem.

Watford Museum Redevelopment

Initial-stage options appraisal, impact assessment, RIBA Stage 1 interpretative design and funding support for the relocation and redevelopment of Watford Museum.

HMS Victory

Redevelopment of ‘The Nation’s Flagship’ gallery, including hands-on tactile exhibits, collections displays, immersive film and quayside graphics.