INTERVIEW
The future of the past
Director of Derby Museums, Mo Suleman, speaks to Business Network Editor Nathan Fearn about how museums have fought to survive, what the future looks like for the heritage sector and how the business community could be missing a trick when it comes to history and nostalgia.
As the world advances at breakneck speed into an age of advanced technology and previously unseen connectivity, the desire for individuals, communities, businesses even, to embrace a sense of history and nostalgia continues unabated. That’s not to say the organisations that make up this
sector, woven into the fabric of a Britain famous for its rich sense of history and heritage, have reason to be complacent. As Director of Resources at Derby Museums, Mo Suleman
is operating in a climate that presents opportunity and risk in equal measure. It’s a task that he clearly relishes, even if working in the
sector seemed unlikely early in his career. “I’m a qualified accountant and trained with PwC,”
explains Mo. “After deciding that practice wasn’t for me, I took up a
role with a franchise of the Holiday Inn Group and was Finance Director there for many years. I really enjoyed my time there, working under a really entrepreneurial owner who inspired me to look at different organisations and sectors.
32 business network November 2017 “I was approached by Derby Museums to take on the
role of Director of Resources and, initially, I turned it down because working in museums wasn’t something I had ever thought about or had an interest in. However, they asked to meet me to discuss the role further and that’s what I did.” The decision to consider the opportunity was clearly a
good one for Mo, who subsequently travelled to Derby for the first time and began a change of career that continues to this day. “I came to Derby for the very first time, found the Silk
Mill and when they told me about the plans for the museums and what they essentially wanted - somebody who could help build the commercial side and get the behind-the-scenes finances right - I thought it was really interesting,” says Mo. “I loved the ambitious plans and decided to take them
up on the opportunity. Initially, I thought I might stay a couple of years and then move on to something else however, four years later, I am still here and I am really enjoying a role that is both challenging and rewarding.” So how important was it for Mo to immerse himself in
‘The desire for individuals, communities, businesses even, to embrace a sense of history and nostalgia continues unabated’
Images by Matthew Jones Photography
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