Natural History Museum welcomes new head of venue hire

Natural History Museum has bolstered its event team with the appointment of Robert Wetherell as head of venue hire. Wetherell brings over 17 years of experience having previously worked at other unique venues in London.

Overseeing the Museum’s sales and operations team, Wetherell will be responsible for the development of spaces for evening event opportunities, daytime conferences and whole venue takeovers for filming and events.

The Museum has long been heralded for the large audience capacity of the Hintze Hall and with this closing for redevelopment from January – August 2017, is focusing on its smaller spaces for award gatherings, standing receptions and intriguing dining experiences. These can be combined with private gallery viewings and exclusive talks about the Museums’ collections to really uncover the secrets.

Robert Wetherell explains: “This is a time of exciting change and redevelopment for the museum and I’m so proud to be a part of helping shape its future. It’s vital for me that guests can engage with our collections and it is fantastic we can tell our clients that they are directly supporting the incredible research the Museum carries out exploring the rich biodiversity of Earth.

“Two of my personal favourite event spaces are The Images of Nature gallery – with historic prints from 350 years ago sitting alongside modern images created by micro CT scanners – and Earth’s Treasury – which has a glittering display of minerals, gemstones and rocks which are always a talking point among guests. The upcoming launch of the new-look Hintze Hall, with the vast blue whale skeleton suspended from the ceiling, is sure to create an incredible impact for guests as they enter the iconic room and I look forward to unveiling the space once again.”

In addition to Wetherell’s appointment, the venue hire team also welcomes events executive Vicky Moran, who with previous experience at another listed building in London, will assist with the growth and development of client accounts, new events enquiries and maintaining relationships with the esteemed roster of clients.

Vicky adds: “The renovation of Hintze Hall gives us a great opportunity to highlight the smaller event spaces available for hire, which when combined with the galleries offer guests a real added-value experience. I am also looking forward to helping deliver events in the Darwin Centre, with its soaring glass walls overlooking the courtyard making it a stunning space to enjoy the seasons all year round.”