The Royal Air Force Museum
Annual Report 2002/03 Statement by the Chairman of Trustees This has been a challenging year for the Trustees. Their implementation of the Government‟s “Access for All” policy has led to completely free admission at both Hendon and Cosford. The increases in visitors have been encouraging and the compensation in extra grant-in-aid welcome. However, changes in visitor profile have resulted in problems and successes in equal measure. The problems are solvable and the successes will further enhance the Museum‟s ability to provide the public with a unique pair of venues at which they can learn about and enjoy the history, traditions and current work of the Royal Air Force. The Museum is at one of the most exciting points in its thirty year history. Its contribution to the global celebrations for the centenary of powered flight on 17th December 2003 with the opening of the Milestones of Flight landmark building and the Grahame White Factory, will be as spectacular and important as anything to be seen on our side of the Atlantic. Statement by the Director General of the Museum The Museum continues to develop with important Strategic Planning work being completed in-year. This work will inform both the Trustees and MOD (our Sponsor) of the needs, aspirations and targets for the foreseeable future. The construction elements of the Hendon development were completed and the relocation of the Grahame-White Factory fulfilled within the year. Their combined opening will be the highlight of next year. Plans were also developed to an advanced stage for a major development at Cosford and the Collections Management System continued to absorb resources, both financial and human. The continued effort to computerise the Collections Catalogue is now paying dividends with substantial parts of the collection now on the system. The benefits of this approach will be felt when the commercial revenue stream is developed some time in the future but, for the time being, great efficiencies have already been found in research and exhibition content planning as well as on our hugely successful website. The success of the Museum is due to the commitment, energy, professionalism and loyalty of the staff and their achievements are visible throughout the public and nonpublic areas of our three sites.
Review of Activities Curatorial Division Department of Research & Information Services Research Enquiries. Throughout the year more than 3800 written research inquiries were satisfied, a 5% decrease on the previous year and over 2700 research inquiries by telephone were answered, a 20% reduction from the previous year. Some 580 researchers visited to conduct their own research, again a reduction by some 5%. The reductions are directly attributable to the much increased use of the Museum‟s website which can deal with both frequently asked questions and the provision of other information about the collections found elsewhere. Staffing and Development. Staff turnover caused vacancies which could not be filled quickly with suitably qualified and experienced staff. Planning for the expansion of the Archive and Library stores as well as their office accommodation as part of the Hendon Phase 3 Development continued. Aircraft & Exhibits, Visual Art, Medals & Uniforms Collections Environments. No significant changes to the environments were detected through routine measurements and sampling programmes. Portable temperature and relative humidity (RH) monitoring equipment was purchased for use in the Michael Beetham Conservation Centre (Cosford) and the Reserve Collection Centre (Stafford). Although some residual damp in the newly acquired Grahame-White Factory (GWF) was expected, the levels of RH were found to be satisfactory when, soon after Christmas, the first WWI aircraft were relocated from the Historic Hangars to the GWF. Control and Condition of Collections. A sampling programme has been sustained to check the quality of the Collections Management System (CMS) database and the accuracy of information relating to location. Major Acquisitions by Purchase. 1077 items were acquired during the year, including a Taylorcraft Auster Mk1 aircraft at £17000. Photo sales. Due to the departure of the member of staff with responsibility for photo sales it was necessary to suspend the service from January 2003 until a replacement could be found, recruited and trained. Before departing, the previous incumbent verified that the scale of charges made for the photographic reproduction services offered were not loss-making, and in accordance with the Trustees‟ policy and the recommendations of the last Defence Internal Audit. Loans. In keeping with the policy to give priority to the implementation of the CMS new loans have been resisted although specific requests from sponsors merited special
consideration. The management of all loans-out has been aided by the implementation of the loans activity management module of the CMS. Design Exhibition Renewal. The preparations for the new Milestones of Flight landmark building and for the Aeronauts-Interactive exhibitions dominated the Design Group‟s work plan, although several minor improvements to the existing displays were also carried out, thanks to the appointment of an additional member of staff. Considerable effort was expended in planning for these projects to ensure that the existing offers to the public were disrupted to the minimum extent possible. Nonetheless some visitors complained, but rather more simply recorded that they had observed the work going on and looked forward to revisiting to see the result. The Wings Over Water area was completely reconfigured around the Stranraer aircraft to make way for the Merlin helicopter and the adjacent helicopters which will make up the Whirling Rotors display area. Education Interactives. To make way for the extension of the interactive gallery (formerly fun’n’flight) at Hendon the offices of the Education Service were relocated. The 1940‟s school room was also relocated and brought into use, primarily for the delivery of the ever-popular “Evacuees Experience”. Development. A most helpful study, building on internal work to determine the future direction of the Education Service at both Hendon and Cosford, provided the expert stimulus needed for the development of access and learning in the Museum when resources can be allocated. Collaborative projects. The close relationships with several schools continued, notably Haberdashers Askes which visits each week during term time to give pupils opportunities to help voluntarily in a variety of ways. Additionally the Museum identified, through its Education Services & Research Advisory Committee, a potential link with the Institute of Contemporary British History (ICBH). Department of Collections Management Good progress has been made with the CMS project, despite the necessary diversion of curatorial effort to the Milestones of Flight landmark building project and its associated preparatory work. The completion of the project at the earliest possible date is a long standing key task for the Museum but depends upon the resources and specialist knowledge of key curatorial staff. At the end of the year the percentage of the accessioned collection which can be accounted for electronically had increased from 25% to 38%. The completion of this phase of the inventory project still remains some 8 years off. As part of the Strategic Review of the Museum, the benefits of increasing the level of curatorial staff have been quantified and provided to our MOD sponsor. The main benefit
of the increase would be to advance the completion date of the accessioned inventory project and the date therefore when the unaccessioned material can start to be processed. Michael Beetham Conservation Centre (MBCC) Throughout the year the priority at the MBCC has been the timely progression of projects relating to the Milestones of Flight landmark building exhibition, starting with the aircraft which were due to be suspended, particularly the Tempest V and the Bleriot XI. These were completed on time. Additionally, the staff were required to ensure that all aircraft and objects earmarked for suspension were not only structurally fit for the purpose but also adequately preserved internally to tolerate the necessarily reduced inspection regime after suspension. The achievement of these tasks coming so soon after the taking-over of the facility, reflects great credit on the staff, both paid and volunteer Staff from Cosford, augmented at times by expert RAF St Athan personnel, also spent extended periods at Hendon moving aircraft both internally and between sites in preparation for the Milestones of Flight landmark building. After several postponements due to financial constraints in past years, sufficient funds were found to repaint the huge Belfast aircraft out of doors at Cosford and keep open the option to ensure its long term survival under cover. Reserve Collection The bulk of the Reserve/Research Collection is housed in a self contained building at Stafford. Last year‟s key task was to optimize the use of the racking and thus ease access. The site was connected to the Museum‟s wide area network during the year and thus it became possible to contribute to the Museum‟s CMS project, capturing images of smaller objects using locally trained staff thus adding key inventory data to the database. By the end of the year over 12500 images had been captured. Furthermore, a small photo booth to permit the lighting and imaging of larger objects was constructed and brought into use. As recommended by the Defence Internal Audit team, routine snap checks of the Commemoratives Store continued. Shortcomings in the security of the building were also addressed.
Business Development The Business Development Department has continued to capitalise on the organisational strategies put in place in the previous year to generate additional funding for the Museum. The Museum raised a total of £568,410, in addition to number of major direct donations in kind, which enabled commencement of the new Milestones of Flight landmark building at Hendon. The Royal Air Force Museum American Foundation, established in July 2002, has begun to realise its potential with the first major donation from the United States pledged in the year. The development of even closer ties to the Royal Air Force, working towards the Museum becoming a major shop window for the Service, has seen the beginning of a number of initiatives with the Director, Corporate Communications RAF, the Director of Recruitment RAF as well as with commercial partners. These latter strategies will produce goods and literature to promote the Service in the public eye, whilst at the same time generating funds for the Museum. The Museum has successfully demonstrated that it provides value for money in preserving and conserving the history of the Royal Air Force and in promoting a public understanding of air power from air defence, search and rescue and the delivery of humanitarian aid. Visitor numbers at both the Museum‟s public sites have continued to grow after the introduction of free entry for all in December 2001. Total visitor numbers during the year for both sites were 412,899 compared with 353,499 for the year to 31 March 2002 (16.8%). At the RAF Museum the government‟s policy of widening access to groups who would otherwise not visit museums, has been remarkably successful. The launch of the Museum‟s redesigned web site in November 2002 produced a significant rise in „hits‟ per month and a much wider usage to promote the Museum‟s diverse facilities and activities, including on-line donations. The Museum‟s Community Relations Committee has initiated a number of programmes, particularly aimed at local, ethnic, disadvantaged and other minority groups in the Museum‟s catchment area. The Museum continued to host group visits from local special care homes and disabled groups. A review of strategy towards ethnic groups to make museum visits more attractive was conducted with the help of a project by a group of students of mixed ethnic backgrounds from Middlesex University Business School. The Museum is grateful for the interest and support of the University and the recommendations of this review will be implemented during the coming year. The profile, image and awareness of the Museum within key influence and potential supporter groups was achieved as closer ties were established with the specialist and general media. A number of successful briefings were held to explain the Museum‟s task and objectives. The Trustees of the Museum hosted a successful Annual Reception which helped to explain both the Museum‟s and the Royal Air Force‟s objectives. The organisation of the Business Development function was further refined during the year to make efficiencies and to improve coordination between the Hendon and Cosford sites. The Department will continue to seek more efficiencies during the coming year
with a rationalisation of tasks and resources between the sites and will also introduce a number of initiatives to further widen the visitor base to the Museum. Museum Development Hendon The two major construction projects, the Milestones of Flight landmark building and the Grahame-White Aircraft Factory were completed during the year and will be ready for fitting out and completion of aircraft installation and exhibitions during 2003. The new landmark building will provide the Museum‟s new front entrance and will be marked by a major piece of public art by sculptor Kisa Kawakami. The building will contain an exhibition titled „Milestones of Flight‟ which will show the development of aviation and the Royal Air Force and put this in context with world history. The building and exhibitions are planned to be dramatic and will offer views of the new hall from four levels. The project has been managed by Drivers Jonas in consultation with the Museum and the main Contractor was Norwest Holst. Whilst the overall programme is secure for the opening on 17 December 2003, the building was delayed by some weeks and claims have been received from the Contractor. These are currently being resolved. The Grahame-White Factory was transferred to the Trustees. It was funded and project managed by the owner of the adjacent East Camp site as part of a private business arrangement between the Trustees and the Developer. The building was taken down and reconstructed to maintain its historical integrity on Museum land and will be open to the public as an additional exhibition hall on 17 th December 2003. There are still many works that the Museum would like to undertake but additional funds have not yet been secured. Cosford The Museum is currently developing a major new project to provide cover for all the Museum owned aircraft currently displayed in the open. These will be housed in a new hall within a themed display on the subject of the Cold War and Air Transport. Funding applications are currently being made.
Operations Division The Operations Division is responsible for providing many of the services which, though essential to the efficient running of the Museum, often remain invisible to visitors. The Division is responsible for personnel management, buildings and works services, safety and security and information technology. The Operations Director is the nominated manager for Health & Safety throughout the Museum‟s locations. Personnel Under the devolved pay arrangements, the Museum negotiates its own pay reviews with staff. The procedure is covered by the HM Treasury Pay Guidance. The 2002 Pay Review resulted in an agreed settlement amounting to an overall increase of 3.9%. In addition to conducting an Equal Pay Audit, work was also started on a Job Evaluation exercise. This will form the basis of the Museum‟s future pay and grading structure by supplying underlying pay and grading data that better reflects the position of the Museum in the heritage and leisure sector. The process was carried forward into 2003/4 and thus will inform future pay reviews. Staff Numbers The average numbers of staff (full time equivalents), in post at the end of the last three financial years is shown below: Division / Location Curatorial Division - Hendon & Stafford Operations Division - Hendon Group Business Development Totals 31.03.01 43 74 7 124 31.03.02 50 76 7 133 31.03.03 50 84 7 141
The Age: Balance of the workforce at 31 st March 2003 was: Age 15 to 29 Age 30 to 44 Age 45 to 59 Age 60 plus 26% 25% 47% 2%
The staff turnover during the year was approximately 26% as follows: Reason Voluntary Resignation Age Retirement Dismissal (work performance) Casual/Temporary Contracts Numbers & Percentage 26 (19%) 3 (2%) 3 (2%) 4 (3 %)
The most frequent reason given for voluntary resignations was for personal betterment and career development. The Museum continues to support training and development of its staff who take part in a variety of programmes, ranging from work-related professional and academic courses, to shorter courses leading to vocational qualifications. Information Technology The Museum's use of Information Technology continues to increase. All office based staff now have access to networked computers (provided by 77 work-stations), with internet access to those whose work requires the facility. During the year the Museum‟s intra-net was upgraded to provide faster data transfer rates between all sites. IT Resilience Improved backup regimes have been introduced, and tested, in order to maintain as normal as possible operation in the event of a system failure. All servers can be restored from a disaster recovery kit and can be operational on redundant equipment within an hour. The museum operates an anti-virus system scanning incoming and outgoing mail, and there is an additional level of protection on individual desktop computers. During the year the Museum‟s IT & e-mail policy was revised to take account of best practice and policies in protecting the Trustees and staff from the ever present threat of email abuse. The Museum operates a scheduled programme for replacement of IT equipment and total expenditure on IT related items was £121,186, compared to £86,241 the previous year. Buildings & Works Services The effective size of the estate increased with the additions at Hendon of the Milestones of Flight landmark building and the Grahame White Factory, with the latter coming into the total control of the Museum during the year. The landmark building was subject to a phased hand-over and not fully transferred until after the end of the year. The volume of work related to the eventual commissioning of both buildings placed additional demands on staff. Each site continued with its scheduled maintenance programme, with no very large single items of expenditure. At Cosford, staff took over total responsibility for the Michael Beetham Conservation Centre (MBCC) from the contractors and the MOD at the end of the initial defects liability period. Elsewhere on the site out-dated electrical switch gear was replaced and following the discovery of urgent safety work, the hangar doors on the original RAF buildings were repaired.
During the year, the Museum contracted the maintenance of its mechanical and electrical equipment at all sites into a single support agreement with an independent company. This contract runs for five years with appropriate break-clause agreements and was undertaken by normal tendering arrangements. Safety & Security During the year the demands at the public sites increased due to the increase in visitor numbers generated by free-admissions. Each public site took steps to augment and improve its safety and security arrangements to meet the new demands of increased visitor numbers. At Hendon this also covered the taking into non-public use of the two new buildings previously mentioned. In preparation for the enlargement of the site, Hendon commissioned reports from specialist companies on Physical security and Visitor Management. Recommendations from each report are being considered and will be implemented as required and as resources permit. Pending decisions on the number of Safety & Security staff able to be employed, each public site augmented its permanent personnel by using seasonal temporary staff. Health & Safety The Division is responsible for Health & Safety throughout all sites. Health & Safety is the personal responsibility of a nominated senior manager, who reports direct to the Director General. The number of reported incidents at the two public sites are shown below: Incidents* 2002/3 2001/2 Hendon 73 79 Cosford 51 49
* =Requiring detailed written Incident Reports During the year the Museum‟s Health & Safety Committee met twice. This was to review health and safety matters generally, and risk assessments in particular. There were no issues that the Committee sought to bring to the attention of the Director General or the Board of Trustees. Hendon and Cosford were inspected by the Museum‟s own appointed fire safety advisors and also received visits from local authority fire service fire prevention staff.
RAF Museum Enterprises Ltd The Company has six directors, two of whom are Trustees of the Museum and the shares are held on behalf of the Trustees, and thus the accounts are consolidated within the financial statements of the Museum. The company has three areas of activities at both its public sites: Retail, Corporate Events and Simulator Experiences. Retail As a result of the introduction of free admission to the Museum in December 2001 the number of visitors has risen but despite the level of spend per visitor falling, the turnover has increased from £740,017 (2001/02) to £850,417 (15%). The continual analysis of product mix and vigorous stock control has contributed to a further improvement in gross margins from 51% (01/02) to 54% (02/03). The mail order sales continue to improve as catalogues are sent to a growing number of customers. This part of the business has been transferred to Cosford and staff have been employed to ensure customers are given the best service possible. The Museum‟s Web Site, including shop sales has been improved and was re-launched during the year. The site now attracts 400,000 visits per annum. The shop products are continually updated and with the availability of secure shopping, web-sales are continuing to grow. Corporate Events Departments at Hendon and Cosford In keeping with national trends in the corporate events sector, the first half of the year was very quiet at both Hendon and Cosford, with revenue down against forecast. Hendon was able to secure some late bookings for September and December and these contributed to those months yielding the highest month-on-month revenues on record. At Cosford, a shortfall in staff was reflected in the shortfall in revenue, and ultimately in net profit. These issues have been addressed with the recruitment of a new Corporate Events Manager who is tasked with the responsibility of generating additional sales for the next financial year. In addition, the Board of Royal Air Force Museum Enterprises Ltd invested in back-of-house catering facilities in Hangar One to ensure that the team can continue to promote large Conferences and Dinners in the Hangars. The department is extremely important to the Company as it raises the profile of the Museum in a number of ways as the two sites are used by a variety of well known local and national organisations. The Museum is a popular venue for companies and institutions seeking a unique venue and the staff co-operate to ensure that the visitor is welcome and that they and the exhibits remain secure. The department also manages the events required by the Museum for the RAF, the Friends of the Museum and all associated organisations.
During the period under review, both sites generated very different results. Hendon enjoyed 28% uplift in revenue which generated an increase of 57% in profit levels. Cosford‟s revenue was down by 32% producing a profit of £5,703. However, the overall corporate events income was up 2.7%, generating uplift in profit of 13.67%. Simulator The company decided to invest in a new, six seater simulator for the Cosford site. This was installed after the year end and is already proving to be a good value for money attraction. Financial relationship with the Museum Each year, the Board considers the amount of time and resources spent by the Museum and its staff on the affairs of the company and consequentially a cross charge amounting to £136,512 (£134,206 2001/02) has been made between the two organisations. Year on Year Comparisons 2001-2002 £ 157,525 214,973 372,498 01-02 37,413 69,563 106,976 2002-2003 £ 105,110 277,327 382,437 02-03 5,703 115,838 121,541 % difference £ -32.00 29.00 2.67
Revenue Cosford Hendon
Profit Cosford Hendon
-85.00 66.50 13.60