AP Benson was recently appointed as a service provider under the framework of financial advisors for arts/cultural organisations by Arts Council England (“Arts Council”) to support it’s assessment, monitoring and decision-making across its grant programmes.
Arts Council require the assistance of specialist service providers able to assist them in assessment, monitoring and decision-making across its grant programmes. Expertise is specifically required in (i) financial analysis and business plan appraisal of arts/cultural organisations and (ii) organisational change and development of arts/cultural organisations (iii) applying knowledge and experience of various governance models and structures used in the arts/cultural sector in both large and small organisations.
AP Benson proposed a team led by Dr. Tom Girn a skilled and experienced Chartered Accountant and turnaround consultant, used to working with organisations requiring turnaround and recovery advice. He had previously worked with the D’Oyly Carte at the New Alexander Theatre Birmingham, with Reading Community Radio, Only in Wales and with Animotion which all required a rapid assessment of their current financial performance and their business plans and development of business and funding strategies to support turnaround, refocusing or refunding of their activities. Tom also leads our business insolvency and turnaround practice Gore and Company. We also proposed Dr. Craig Livingstone, an experienced management consultant with third sector, social enterprise and charity experience and a record of working with arts and cultural organisations and public sector funded bodies. Craig’s work also includes projects in the museums sector. The team also includes: Peter Bellingham, former Director and Managing Director of Welsh National Opera, who has consulting experience with National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain and in the refurbishment of arts and cultural spaces; Chris Moore, a specialist in theatre capital and revenue projects and strategic planning; and Paul Smith, who works in planning theatre and performance spaces with a particular expertise in development of catering facilities.
More information on our projects with the Arts Council can be found [here].
Economic and Financial Assessments 
