Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is pleased to announce the appointment of Lincoln Clarke as its Chief Executive from September.
Lincoln joins the Trust, which oversees the visitor welcome, marketing, PR, events and advanced sales on behalf of the main attractions within the Historic Dockyard, from The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, Stratford-upon-Avon.
His appointment coincides with the publication of an ambitious programme of major development for the Historic Dockyard, which is home to HMS Victory, the National Museum of the Royal Navy, HMS Warrior 1860, the Mary Rose, Action Stations and Harbour Tours.
He will assume responsibility for delivering a 5 year strategy for growth at the naval heritage attraction which currently attracts almost 500,000 visitors a year and which will see the opening of the new £21 million Mary Rose Museum towards the end of the year.
During Lincoln’s tenure as Chief Operating Officer at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, Stratford-upon-Avon, visitor numbers at the world famous Shakespeare heritage sites have increased consistently year on year. In 2011 the iconic properties attracted more than 805,000 visits, an increase of 45,000 over 2010 and the highest number in seven years. Visitor revenues, which account for 86% of the charity’s income, have increased by 30% since 2007.
Prior to joining the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, Lincoln was Marketing Director at Merlin Entertainments.
His previous experience includes senior marketing roles at premium food store chain Booths, and Vodafone. He is currently Chair of the Destination Steering Group recently formed to kick start the tourism economy for Stratford-upon-Avon district.
Dr Caroline Williams, Chairman of Portsmouth Historic Dockyard welcomed Lincoln’s appointment commenting: “We are entering an exciting period of unprecedented change at the Historic Dockyard heralded by the opening of a superb new museum for the Mary Rose. Our attractions are household names, known throughout the world. Lincoln clearly demonstrated he has the experience, the vision and the energy to lead us through this period of development, building effective partnerships and maximising our commercial performance.”
