Leading Through the Worst Storm, Weathering the Crisis and having the Resilience to Rebuild
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Leading Through the Worst Storm, Weathering
the Crisis and having the Resilience to Rebuild
C2S asked Laurie Bell, CEO The Cheltenham Trust about their Covid story,
lessons learnt and what good leadership looks like.
O
n 5 March 2018, Salisbury hit
headlines across the world
following the unprecedented
situation after a former Russian spy and The pessimist
his daughter were poisoned by Novichok
nerve agent in its city centre. Overnight complains
a city reliant on tourists and visitors saw
its local economy crash. A city renowned about the wind. The
for its cathedral and quintessential
streets and shops was abandoned by optimist expects it to
tourists and visitors avoiding its centre
though fear of the nerve agent. This high change. The leader
profile situation hit local, national and
international news and became a fast adjusts the sails.
moving, highly sensitive and political
situation. Communication was vital to John Maxwell
provide facts, reassurance and guidance Laurie Bell, CEO The Cheltenham Trust
and to encourage a return to normality
and recovery.
Leading through a major crisis is The Cheltenham Trust is an independent organisation and deliver growth and a
something we never expect in a career charity that manages Cheltenham’s sustainable future. A five-year plan focused
lifetime. While we can set out plans and most iconic venues; Pittville Pump Room, on business growth in all venues and a
contingencies for managing in a crisis, Cheltenham Town Hall, The Wilson significant programme of change was
the reality is very different, and I speak Museum and Art Gallery, Leisure at approved at the end of 2019. Pre-Covid,
from personal experience. Leading Cheltenham and the Prince of Wales the outturn position for year-end would
communication following the Novichok Stadium. With the support of an annual have delivered a significant surplus - the
incidents provided the learning that can grant from its main partner, Cheltenham first in five years, and affirmation of the
only be gained through working through Borough Council, it delivers a range of effectiveness of the new business model.
such an experience and that you hope cultural and leisure facilities and services
But, on 17 March all venues closed
that you won’t need to rely on again. for the local community. The Trust is totally
due to the national lockdown and the
reliant on shows, concerts, hires, events,
Two years on from the Salisbury incidents income streams stopped. Cash flow was
weddings, leisure memberships and its
the country faces the worst pandemic immediately impacted. As an organisation
in-house catering to generate income to
seen in 100 years. The impact of COVID-19 with no cash reserves and little free cash
ensure its sustainability.
is a world-wide crisis and it has changed (more than 50% is pre-paid tickets and
and affected everyone’s life and sense Since joining the Trust in April 2019, my hires), immediate action had to be taken
of normality. mandate was to turn around a failing to remain solvent. More than 200 staff
Do not follow LeadershipFocus
where the path
may lead. Go instead
where there is no path Leadership is about making a difference
and leave a trail. and seizing opportunities
Ralph Waldo Emerson
A good leader keeps ahead of the
game and grabs opportunities.
T
wo of the historic venues the
Trust manages are located in the
most beautiful park settings with
accessible outdoor space. On 22 June,
in line with the revised government
restrictions, the Trust seized an
opportunity and launched two new
café bars with a schedule of music
events. The timing and location proved
to be a case of right time and right
place. The success of the two cafes The learning for the Trust cannot be
has been remarkable achieving more underestimated. The potential of the
than double the initial income targets venues and how these can be used to
set. More than 40,000 people visited the provide safe go to destinations cannot be
cafes and attended the programme of lost and will continue to be built on.
music events throughout the summer
Lockdown 2.0 has further reduced
months. The growth of the cafes was
the Trust’s business model which, for
continuing and the offer had been
November, will be one outdoor takeaway
reviewed and repurposed to maximise
café. When these restrictions are eased,
throughout the colder months, when
were furloughed and the business swiftly and until the pandemic recedes, the Trust
the government announced on 31
repurposed to provide a community food will not be able to reopen all its venues
October that a second, month long,
hub to support the Gloucester Community and, with reduced capacities, the financial
lockdown would begin on Thursday 5
Help Hub, delivering more than 4,500 meals reliance will continue to focus on the
November.
and food parcels to the most vulnerable in two cafes and a reduced offer at Leisure
the local community. Once again the Trust has taken at Cheltenham. Even with the recent
immediate action to protect its cash successful grant award of £852,000 from
A small business critical team was flow and to ride out this second the government’s Culture Recovery Fund,
retained to mitigate any reduction of challenge, and to be ready to reopen the organisation continues to be on life
cash. Thousands of customers were as soon as restrictions are eased. All support and must keep focused and agile
contacted to encourage deferrals, credits staff, except a skeleton business critical to manage the months ahead.
and donations. Shows and hires were re- team, have been furloughed. Leisure
scheduled. Communication and the profile at Cheltenham, events at Cheltenham
of the Trust were critical throughout the Town Hall and the Garden Bar Marquee
“A good leader keeps
lockdown and early remobilisation. Now
was not a time for trench mentality, a crisis
have closed in line with the latest ahead of the game and
restrictions.
is the time to communicate, to engage and grabs opportunities.”
to be seen. The November winter programme of
live music at the Garden Bar Marquee,
The food hub, combined with local and the shows and events that were The business model is continually
campaigns and initiatives including the scheduled at the town hall, have been reviewed, revised and re-invented with a
well supported #let’smeetagain bunting rescheduled to new dates in December. clear focus – to survive and thrive. Core
project, helped to keep the Trust visible and resource is aligned to match the plan and
active in the community. The lockdown restrictions allow tough decisions have been taken, and will
takeaway operations to continue and continue, to do what’s needed to ensure
the Heritage Café at Pittville Pump future sustainability.
Room will stay open to provide a
takeaway offer. The importance of From leading a team through Novichok,
being able to meet safely outside in a and through an ongoing pandemic, I
Covid - 19 secure outdoor environment have learned that, with the right team and
is more important than ever in these support of lead partners, the art of the
unusual times for overall mental and possible is attainable. Success is addictive
physical health and wellbeing. The Trust and it motivates. In the most challenging
wants to continue to do all it can to and darkest of times the Trust has grown
support the local community through and developed a new core business and
this November lockdown and therefore team. This will help us to stay afloat and be
has decided to continue with the café positioned to come back bigger and better
and a revised takeaway offer. for the community of Cheltenham.
LeadershipFocus
UP AND COMING EVENTS
C2S Leaders Forum
13th November 2020
13th January 2021
18th February 2021
23rd March 2021
28th April 2021
26th May 2021
If you’d like to be part of our Thought
Leadership Programme for CEOs,
Directors and Senior Management,
please register your interest
www.circle2success.com/events
Tel: 03300 536186
Email: events@circle2success.co.uk
A leader is one who knows the way, Outside seating pre-lockdown
2.0 now closed but the
goes the way, and shows the way… takeaway service remains
open at Heritage Café at
Have a vision and direction – the Always respond – never react Pittville Pump Room
art of the possible
Set out the ethos and values – how
Think strategy and big picture do you want to be seen throughout a
and always look ahead crisis and beyond?
Communicate, profile, communicate
Embed confidence and positivity
– you are the role model Grasp opportunities – be agile, take
risks and move at pace
Relationships matter - with all
stakeholders Leadership is about people
www.cheltenhamtrust.org.uk
C2S Online Leadership Week 22nd - 26th March 2021
A week of online events with experts in their field and leaders in business talking Mental Health
and Wellbeing, Leadership, Economy, Tech & Cyber, Brand & Marketing and Sustainability.
Register Your Interest Here: www.circle2success.com/events/2021-03/#tribe-events-pg-template
You can also read
