The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Science centre hope for five-star success
Visitor attractions: Military museum chief moves across town
The chief executive of Aberdeen’s only five-star visitor attraction has been appointed to lead a redeveloped £6 million facility due to open next year.
Bryan Snelling will join Aberdeen Science Centre from the city’s Gordon Highlanders Museum where he has held the position of chief executive for more than five years.
During his tenure, Mr Snelling delivered a successful fundraising campaign, generating £300,000 to safeguard the museum’s future. He recently secured a World War One Trench exhibit which helped deliver a 50% increase in visitors
Sandy Morton, a trustee of Aberdeen Science Centre, said: “Bryan’s primary focus will be ensuring the new centre reflects the Stem (science, technology, engineering and maths) agenda of the future. He has a wealth of experience in the tourism industry and a real passion for shaping the new centre into a major attraction for local, national and international visitors to the city.
“Bryan joins the organisation at a very exciting and crucial time as we look ahead to the opening of the redeveloped centre in summer 2020.
“Making it the city’s second Visit Scotland five-star visitor attraction ”
A key strategic goal is to make use of the very latest technology and work with industry partners to bring science to life for many generations of visitors.”
Mr Snelling will take over from current chief executive, Liz Hodge, who is to retire in December but will continue to oversee delivery of the redevelopment through to its completion in summer 2020.
He said: “Aberdeen Science Centre has a special place in the hearts of many across the northeast and I, like many others, have been following its redevelopment with much interest and anticipation.
“I look forward to contributing to the centre’s vibrant future, with the ambition of making it the city’s second Visit Scotland five-star visitor attraction.” The centre has moved to temporary accommodation at 107 George Street to allow visitors to enjoy interactive exhibits and topical science events while the refurbishment is carried out at the old granite Tramsheds on Constitution Street.
The redevelopment is expected to revitalise and transform the centre through installation of many new exhibits in the expanded exhibition areas and corporate space, reflecting the key priorities of the Stem agenda for both education and industry.