In Your Shoes - Mark Munsie

Mark Munsie is the Operations Director of the Dundee Heritage Trust.

Dundee Heritage Trust and its operating company Dundee Industrial Heritage Limited are both registered charities formed in 1985 to preserve and interpret Dundee’s industrial past. As well as the Royal Research Ship Discovery, Dundee Heritage Trust has responsibility for Discovery Point Antarctic Museum and Verdant Works, one of the nation’s most important textile museums.

IT can be challenging

Start of another busy and varied week.  First off is arrangements to be made for the #missingtype promotion and a piece to camera explaining our support for the NHS and SBTS. A bit more PR with a discussion with reporter at the Evening ‘Tilly’ about city visitor figures.  Onto a meeting with Chris from Shackleton IT about a systems review before planning the rest of the week.

#missingtype

Ship day today so hit the deck running – literally.  Morning spent on Discovery checking progress on refurbishment work to Engine Housing and lower Rigging before working on contract for major rigging refurbishment and briefing for Thursday Trustee Meeting.  Met with Captain John Watson to discuss possible partial flooding of the dock to allow the Discovery to take up water into her hull timbers.  Ship fully dressed with her flags on display with just the letter ‘O’ missing. Great fun with the visitors getting them to decipher the message in the flags. 

‘Emma’ Penguin

Nice start to the day, got up early and had a cup of coffee in the garden before heading for work, very relaxing and peaceful. Attended a series of meetings today covering trading, operations and retail sales. Took some time out to review our online Tripadvsior reviews for both sites and spend some thinking time on retail product development for year 2017.  A number of new lines are being considered one being a Discovery branded penguin – ‘Emma’ Penguin has been suggested as a name!

Safety and Risk

Busy day today!  Further meetings about the forthcoming rigging refurbishment and discussion of potential risks associated with the work.  Attended ongoing discussion about PR coverage for the work and how to ensure that the visit experience is maintained. Great to leave these things behind and head off to Edinburgh for the evening to attend a family get together. Edinburgh during the festival is such a buzz.

Discovery Pro-Am

Met Craig and Kim to finalise the arrangements for the Discovery Pro-Am on the 1st September.  As a non-golfer who has never held a golf bat I find it all a little challenging. However Craig and Kim kept me straight and I survived the meeting without falling in a bunker!  Quick check on night security for the weekend and start to think about relaxing for the weekend.  Friday night Rioja beckons.