Science Museum Group: History, Objectives, and Operations

Science Museum
Group
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Executive Summary
Report presented below takes through the course of history and operations of The Science
Museum Group in UK. Report is designed to take the reader through the journey from knowing
about its history and strategic structure to its objectives and customer trends that are helping it to
reach to maximum visitors. Report also presented the information about financial operations and
governance of the Group. Group is governed by The board of Trustees which are appointed by
Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS), under government of UK. Its key
stakeholders and the relevant current issues that will impact its key stakeholders are also
discussed below in the report.
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Table of Contents
Executive Summary.........................................................................................................................2
Introduction......................................................................................................................................4
Organisational Profile.................................................................................................................4
Main Body.......................................................................................................................................5
Objectives....................................................................................................................................5
Consumer Trends........................................................................................................................5
Sustainability...............................................................................................................................6
Financial Operations...................................................................................................................7
Governance.................................................................................................................................8
Key Stakeholders......................................................................................................................10
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................10
Current Issues............................................................................................................................10
References......................................................................................................................................12
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Introduction
Organisational Profile
As per Annual Report of the Science Museum Group is registered under National
Heritage Act 1983. It is an exempt charity under the Charities Act 2011 and is recognised as
charitable by HM Revenue & Customs. Until 1984, it was operated by government and now has
the status of non-departmental public body (NDPB) operating under its sponsor department, the
Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS). The Board of Trustees act as
governing body for the group. There are 5 museums under the group: Science Museum - It is located in London and trace its origin in South Kensington
Museum. South Kensington Museum was reorganised as Victoria and Albert Museum
and the Science Museum in 1909 (Morris, 2016). This museum focuses on exploring
science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine. Around 4,33,000 visitors
visited the museum in 2018-19. National Railway Museum – It was opened in 1975 at Leeman Road, York after British
Transport Commission's railway collection was transferred to Board of Trustees. It
focuses on exploring the huge impact of the railways on Britain and the whole world.
Around 37,000 visitors visited the museum in 2018-19. Locomotion Museum or National Railway Museum, Shildon – It was opened in 2004,
in partnership with Sedgefield Borough Council and since, 1 December 2017, full
operational responsibility lies with the Group. This museum also focuses on showcasing
the impact of railways and presenting the glorious and significant history of railways for
UK and the world. Around 7,000 visitors visited the museum in 2018-19. National Science and Media Museum – It was established in 1983 at Pictureville,
Bradford. It was initially named as National Museum of Photography, Film and
Television. And later renamed to its present name. It was established with the support of
Bradford City Council. It focuses on exploring the strong impact of image and sound
technologies on general lives. Around 38,000 visitors visited the museum in 2018-19.
 The Science and Industry Museum – It is located in Manchester and was opened in 1969
as the North Western Museum of Science. It was registered as a charity in 1987 and
joined the Group in 2012. It focuses on exploring ideas that have the capability of
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