AGM 2025
Wednesday 26th November 2025
Osborne House Presentation by Victoria Stone.
Victoria started her presentation with a very quick resume of her Curriculum Vitae which highlighted her various positions with EH, here and at other properties.
The major restructure at Osborne and other EH properties now being undertaken has spanned 2024 into 2025 and will carry on throughout 2026. Within this, the entire senior level of staff, i.e. David Bailey’s rank had been culled. Currently, the economic climate is difficult and EH are not yet back to pre-COVID visitor numbers.
There have been changes to the structure of EH Trustees. This will underpin the establishment of definite goals over the next three years.
One such aim is to highlight a revamped EH brand identity. This makes the important point that EH is not within the civil service but is an independent CHARITY. Therefore, charities, such as EH will go ‘cap-in-hand’ for Government assistance via an established fund-raising team.
A key goal for Victoria will be generation of income. With this is mind, Victoria has already hired Tim Foster as the new Food and Beverage Manager. One of his initiatives has been the launch of Sunday Roasts in the Terrace Restaurant, which they hope will be successful.
Next, Fran Mendes has been employed and will start in February 2026 as the new Retail Manager, having previously worked for the Natural History Museum.
Victoria has also identified increasing the volunteer base for much needed assistance.
Victoria wants conservation work to be funded by stakeholders, for instance the roof at Swiss Cottage has leaks that will cost @ one million pounds to repair.
Other avenues for investment at Osborne are to promote this site as the EH number one site, above Dover Castle and Tintagel. Tours around the House and Grounds need further definition/refinement/relevance for today’s visitor. Victoria would like to promote various theme tours rather than simply a general tour. This could take the form as ‘Queen Victoria, the monarch, the royal mother, or focus on specific areas, for example, the Convalescent Home.
CCTV and Security upgrades will be implemented.
Lastly, at this stage, Victoria wants a new approach to the entire visitor route, entry, footfall and exit points to maximise the visitor experience.
Question and answer section.
Frances Bourn, a previous Committee member and an EH volunteer asked why it was taking so long to spend Friends of Osborne funds on projects of interest. Could this be speeded up?
Victoria replied that she understands our frustrations and will endeavour to quicken up the process via our Funding Requests criteria. She did stress that a Grade Listed property will always have restrictions. As she is relatively new as General Manager funding will be a priority. Victoria then highlighted the funding for the Entrance Gates which she wants off the ground as soon as possible. Next, the Goose-boy Fountain funding could be a major funding project for Friends in 2026.
Other questions included a query about lighting and that temporary lights can be used when we have a function in the darker months. Another question queried whether ticket prices would be included for specific tours, convalescent home. The Ramblers’ Rights for access via the coast had been denied (security reasons). Finally, one of our members had enjoyed the recent Ghost Tour, so well done. A buoyant round of applause was given for Victoria’s presentation, with thanks from Allison.