A day in the life: Martin Westwood, Head of Commercial Operations Household Cavalry Museum
What is your role in the Household Cavalry Museum?
My job title is that of Head of Commercial Operations, however most of the team call me the Director. In my role I have to try and win business for the museum, in the form of tourists along with having to increase footfall to the museum.
I am responsible for attracting and managing corporate and hospitality events at the Museum and therefore have to do a great deal of networking within the tourism industry with organisations and tour operators, who have the potential to bring in more visitors to the Museum. Additionally, I am also the spokesman for the Museum within the tourism sector.
Aside from my duties of increasing visitor numbers and events, I also help to manage the marketing programme for the Museum in the form of setting up media schedules. I also come up with new ideas to implement along with researching key dates to use on social media.
What does your typical day consist of?
I often come into work with a small agenda of matters that I wish to deal with, however I often come in to find out that something has gone wrong overnight that requires attention, throwing any routine out the window!
Although every day at the Museum is different, I usually would compile and look over data, such as visitor numbers, along with dealing with any new enquiries that have been received to use or hire the museum for events. I also regularly attend meetings with different stakeholders, in some cases to strike up new deals and partnerships.
What do you most enjoy about your job?
The thing that I enjoy most about my job is the camaraderie among my colleagues.
Working in a very small team, managing the operations of the Museum, everybody must work hard to help deliver and fortunately our team is extremely committed and therefore we all pull together to help things run smoothly whilst having good fun!
What has been your most memorable experience whilst working at the Household Cavalry Museum?
Since joining the Household Cavalry Museum in 2009, I would have to say that my most memorable moment was when Jilly Cooper launched her new book ‘Jump’ here in 2010. It was so nice to see that she had time for everybody who had come, with celebrities such as Paul O’Grady, along with all of her family, making for a fantastic atmosphere!
Additionally we occasionally have members of the Royal family such as the Duke of Edinburgh and Duke of Cambridge come to visit most frequently during the reception held before Beating Retreat in the summer on the parade ground; which is obviously always very enjoyable.
What is your favourite piece/exhibit in the museum?
My favourite piece in the museum, by far, is that of the Field Bugle that was used during the sound charge at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 by the 16 year old John Edwards, who was the duty trumpeter on that day. The sound was the charge for The Household Brigade in which the 2 French Eagles were taken and Napoleon lost the battle.
It is therefore such an iconic piece and the bugle is often known as the ‘battle changer’ due to its great importance, along with the fact that it also connects to other items within the museum such as the Canister Ball from the leg of Lord Uxbridge.
What is the most common question asked by visitors to the museum?
The most common question, I would say that is asked by visitors to the museum is that of ‘Can you tell me the difference between the Blues and Royals and The Life Guards’, often after seeing the guards at the entrance of Horse Guards, with one wearing a red coat and the other a blue!
