Why heritage and wellbeing go hand in hand

Matthew Mees, Chief Executive of the Old Royal Naval College, talks to Karen McLauchlan about the historic Greenwich jewel – and explains why rich history, blockbuster movies and the TikTok generation all have a part to play in the site’s future.

When it comes to iconic London landmarks, the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich certainly ticks all the boxes.

The UNESCO World Heritage site has 600 years of rich history – and some may be a surprise.

From Lord Nelson and Henry VIII to blockbuster Bridgerton, all have made their mark.

Matthew Mees has been at the helm for almost five years.

He joined the Greenwich Foundation – the charity that conserves the magnificent site –in 2019 as Director of Finance and IT and has been Chief Executive since March 2020. And it’s clear a love of heritage has been at the heart of his working life for a long time.

“My background is finance, but in my career I found myself working in modern organisations that were using wonderful heritage buildings, such as the Lister Hospital in Chelsea and Earls Court and Olympia exhibition centres,” he explained. “I loved how the modern and the heritage came together.”

The college site stretches for 17 acres. It is home to Sir Christopher Wren's design masterpiece, the Royal Hospital for Seamen, which was a place of refuge for Royal Navy veterans.

It became the Royal Naval College in 1873, with the Greenwich Foundation established in 1997 to conserve the site.

Its tour de force is the Painted Hall, dubbed Britain’s Sistine Chapel. Its breathtaking Baroque walls and ceilings are a site to behold. Matthew joined the team as an £8.5 million renovation was completed.

“The Painted Hall is the jewel in our crown,” said Matthew. “That was a big fundraising project for us, supported by the National Lottery.”

Other recent work has included restoration of the Nelson Room, a tribute to the British naval commander who lay in state at the site after his death at the Battle of Trafalgar.

But like any business, it has had to navigate some challenging times - with the Covid pandemic forcing it to close during lockdowns and the cost-of-living crisis putting a strain on the public’s finances.

“It costs us £3 million to maintain the buildings and run them before we do anything else,” said Matthew, “that’s just to unlock the gates in the morning.

“We are seeing higher costs, but people are also more discerning about how they spend their money.”

The team worked hard to bounce back from the pandemic, maintain its position as an intrinsic part of the Greenwich community and offer hope of better times ahead.

“We closed when we were told to,” said Matthew, “but the moment restrictions were lifted we reopened.

“Looking at heritage is good for your wellbeing and being out in green spaces. So it wasn’t fair for us to close for longer.

“The pandemic helped us in one way as people had to stay local for a while and they discovered we were in their backyard.”

The aim now is to bring more people to the site, increase revenue and continue delivering key charitable objectives – conservation and education.

More than 5,000 school children visit the site every year as part of its education programme.

A hospital outreach programme also takes heritage to young people at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich and The Royal Marsden.

Matthew says making connections through the Chamber of Commerce is also important.

“We’re a member of a number of groups, but the Chamber is focused on commerce - and it’s commerce that we’re trying to do. We’re doing heritage but powering it with charity and going out commercially to raise money.

“As Chamber members we’re all doing the same thing - we’re trying to grow our income. The Chamber is there for people to come together and all come away with more.

“And like the Chamber I’m very passionate about the whole of South-east London.”

While the history of the site will always be a draw for tourists, Matthew says new events are key to a growing audience.

Post-Covid, the Painted Hall hosted artist Luke Jerram’s seven-metre, illuminated 3D model of Earth – named Gaia –mesmerising visitors. This was followed by Jerram’s breathtaking Museum of the Moon installation.

This winter, from November 23 until January 28 next year, the Old Royal Naval College will host Jerram’s third installation, Mars.

“When Gaia was here, we had really long queues of people – TikTokers – wanting to do their dance in front of the installation,” said Matthew.

“And that was great because they weren’t the usual people who’d come and visit us.

“Even nicer was once they’d had their minute filming, I could see them on the day beds in the Painted Hall where we encourage people to lie down and look at the ceiling. They were getting something else from their visit.”

The site also has 100 years of history in a very different arena – big screen blockbusters.

One of the most filmed TV and movie locations in the country, Matthew says the team will capitalise on this in 2025.

“Next year it’s 100 years since the site was first used for filming. We’re seeing a big increase in film tourism – set jetting –where people want to see where movies have been filmed.”

And there’s no shortage of A-listers at the Greenwich site.

Netflix hits Bridgerton and The Crown both used the historical site for a dramatic backdrop along with Thor, Pirates of the Caribbean, 007’s adventures in Skyfall and even the Muppets.

“Some people won’t come here to find out about Nelson or look at the Baroque architecture, but if they come because it’s where Bridgeton was filmed we know they’ll learn about other things while they’re here.

“I don’t mind why you come in the door, but if you get something else from your visit before you go, whether it’s a bit of history, a look at the ceiling, understanding our heritage, then it must be a benefit.

“For whatever reason you want to come, we’d love to have you here.”