New Manager Takes The Helm At Island's Classic Boat Museum

The Classic Boat Museum has recruited a Museum Manager to look after both sites of the museum in Cowes and East Cowes.

It's hoped the newly created position will help bring a transformational change to the museum’s development as well as supporting the growing
team of volunteers.

Kelly Wetherick joins from Brading Roman Villa and has been working in Island heritage for nearly 10 years. Previously studying Archaeology and Heritage at the University of Leicester, she is currently a PhD candidate at the University of Exeter.

Kelly is passionate about the Island’s maritime heritage and said:

“This is an exciting time to be joining the Classic Boat Museum with many dynamic projects on the horizon presenting an array of opportunities to capture people’s imaginations through our maritime heritage.

"I am very proud to be part of the team and I can’t wait to get started in my new role. I am looking forward to learning about the fascinating collections we have in the museum and to sharing their stories with our local communities and visitors.”

Kelly has already witnessed that the passion that the volunteers bring to the museum is the key to its success and says will strive to attract new audiences to engage with heritage by championing inclusiveness and accessibility.

Mark McNeil, Chair of the Classic Boat Museum, said:

“We are delighted that Kelly is joining us. Kelly is our first full time Museum Manager and as such she will help to bring about a transformational change in the museum’s development.

"She has a wealth of heritage expertise and vast experience in volunteer support, education and community engagement. The Trustees and all the volunteers join me in welcoming her into this new role.”