“Viva Arts commissioned Hollie to help with our Arts Council NPO application and we honestly could not have wished for anyone better. Hollie went above and beyond for us and helped us to create an excellent application that would have never been possible without her assistance and guidance. Viva have used many consultants over the years, but Hollie is the best we’ve worked with by far. She really takes the time to get to know the organisation and the funder and was with us all the way. She is articulate, creative, hardworking, reliable, friendly and a joy to work with. We will certainly be using Hollie again.”
Daniel Schumann, Chair, Viva Arts (2022)
“As a consultant, Hollie quickly understands the client’s strategic issues and is able to identify real-world solutions to complex problems. When there are conflicting opinions, she is really good at building consensus and finding a practical way forward. As a leader, she always manages to get the best from her team and wider stakeholders, focusing on the big picture whilst keeping a close eye on the detail.”
Nick Dodds, Managing Director, FEI - Festivals & Events International (2022)
“Hollie was the main driver for Gloucester Culture Trust’s initial success and growth. She is a strong strategic thinker, an excellent influencer and a brilliant fundraiser. What a combination!”
Deborah Potts, CEO, The Music Works & former trustee, Gloucester Culture Trust (2021)
"Create Gloucestershire commissioned Hollie to deliver a large scale consortium fundraising initiative and working with her for the past two years has been a revelation. She combines extensive knowledge and expertise with a genuine insight into the needs, challenges and potential of people and organisations. She was brilliant at identifying and drawing out the skills of other leaders to drive their own projects rather than making them dependent on her, providing advice, encouragement and motivation throughout an often challenging process.
“The current funding climate made the work difficult but all the more necessary, and despite the economic downturn Hollie succeeded in helping many partners establish successful private giving campaigns. Perhaps more importantly she changed the way people talked about the value of their organisations, which will undoubtedly have a lasting impact. Hollie has been a joy to work with, and we would wholeheartedly recommend her."
Pippa Jones, Director & Mel Scaffold, Facilitator, Create Gloucestershire (2015)
“Hollie made a significant contribution to Birmingham Museums over four and a half years in relation to both fundraising and changing the culture of the organisation. Birmingham Museums' highest profile projects and achievements in recent years are largely due to Hollie's skills in fundraising and partnership development. From raising £3.285m to acquire the internationally-renowned Staffordshire Hoard and securing £250k from Garfield Weston to support related gallery developments, to securing Esmée Fairbairn funding to deliver highly innovative exhibitions that attracted new audiences.
“Hollie's biggest contribution, however, has been in helping change the culture of Birmingham Museums to become a more entrepreneurial organisation. We are now more confident in seeking private and commercial sponsorship and better able to approach partnership development in a more focused and strategic manner. Hollie is at her best when she is helping to lead change in an organisation and her key strength lies in her ability to source new opportunities that will help transform and improve an organisation for the longer term.”
Toby Watley, Director of Programming, Birmingham Museums Trust (2013)
“Hollie has an amazing ability to get on with people of all backgrounds. Her communication skills are of a high level, as is her ability to develop strong, personal relationships. She is skilled at matching an individual’s (or company’s) interests with what the cultural organisation has to offer, so creating and nurturing a ‘win-win’ situation for all parties. Her passion and her strengths are well-aligned in supporting her high-achievement in development and fundraising.”
Debby de Haes, Trustee, Birmingham Museums Trust & Chair, Friends of BMT (2013)