Tom Dawson

Tom Dawson is Chief Operating Officer at the Association for Cultural Enterprises, the UK membership body for commercial best practice in the arts, heritage and cultural sector. He leads a range of programmes including the Commercial Performance Barometer, Cultural Enterprises Academy and mentoring programme, while also producing and hosting the Arts & Culture podcast. Tom works across membership, partnerships, advocacy, and sector insight, helping cultural organisations grow sustainable income and share best practice. championing the people and organisations that make culture thrive.

Tom Dawson will be speaking at the Museums & Public Programs Summit 2026 :

From Programmes to Profit

Public programming is no longer just about engagement, it is a key driver of income and sustainability.

Drawing on insight from the Association for Cultural Enterprises’ Commercial Barometer and examples from over 1,600 cultural sites, this session explores how organisations are aligning programming, visitor experience and commercial performance.

It will highlight what current data tells us about visitor behaviour and spend, and share practical examples of how teams are adapting their approach.

Focused on real-world application, the session will offer clear, actionable ideas for designing programmes that both engage audiences and strengthen financial resilience.