Who we are

We work on a wide range of heritage, museum and interpretive projects throughout the UK. Established for over 30 years Headland Design is a leading heritage development consultancy and interpretive design company. We are communicators with a passion for heritage and the environment and love learning about people and places, now and in the past and finding creative, exciting, fun and engaging ways of sharing this with others.

We are flexible, imaginative, and practical, great at listening, and firm believers in consultation. We bring a wide range of skills, and we pride ourselves on consistently delivering on-time and in-budget and providing great value for money.

We undertake feasibility and options studies, develop activity and interpretation plans to support applications to the National Lottery Heritage Fund and design and install a wide range of interpretation and exhibitions. We have a strong background in curatorial work and have undertaken a series of projects for the Welsh Government to consider capital needs for storage and exhibitions for museums across Wales and led on the development of a Recognition scheme for museums in Wales. 

Exhibit with informational panels about climate change and carbon footprint, featuring a cartoon illustration of two people hugging the Earth, and a display with four question marks.

Meet our team

  • Our team bring a wide range of skills offering graphic and 3D design, audience development and consultation alongside historic research and expertise in collections care. We also work closely with other companies and associates to ensure that we can bring a team with all the skills needed for the job.

  • Ruth McKew

    DIRECTOR

    Ruth is a heritage enthusiast who thoroughly enjoys consultation and has practical experience of learning delivery. Formerly a curator and now a consultant, she has a sound knowledge of collection management and museum operation as well as interpretation skills and an understanding of audience development. She specialises in interpretation and activity plans and also leads on project delivery, including text-writing and picture research. She is convinced of the importance of audience consultation as part of project development and has worked extensively in workshop facilitation. Her skills include carrying out both formative and post completion evaluation.

  • Stuart Jones

    ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR

    Stuart leads the Headland team in 3D and interior design. He engages with projects throughout the design process, from concept development to supervision on site. He works closely with our clients to move ideas from concept to reality. He manages the studio team, the production of drawings and specifications ready for manufacture and pays close attention to off-site production before supervising on-site installation. He brings his wide and varied experience of delivering creative yet practical interpretive design alongside the knowledge and understanding of the client team. He listens to people’s ideas and has plenty of his own. He can guide and temper proposals from experience so as to maintain flexibility and make long-term sustainability the overriding objective.

Let’s work together

Interested in working together? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly!