Richard Morsley

Richard Morsley is Chief Executive of the Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust, a preservation and learning charity responsible for The Historic Dockyard Chatham, the most complete dockyard of the age of sail. Richard is a senior leader with more than fifteen years’ experience across the heritage, cultural, education and local government sectors, recognised for his strategic, commercial, and place-based approach to heritage stewardship.

Richard leads one of the UK’s most complex and successful mixed-use heritage destinations, combining a nationally significant independent museum and visitor attraction with commercial, residential, education, hospitality, events, and screen production activity. Under his leadership, the Trust has achieved long-term financial sustainability on a revenue basis through a diversified and entrepreneurial business model, strengthening its role as a major tourism and economic driver for Medway and the South East.

He brings extensive experience of board-level governance, major public and charitable projects and programmes, partnership working with local authorities, destination management organisations, and national funders. Richard is a strong advocate for heritage-led regeneration and has seen first-hand the transformative impact of long-term, place-based heritage investment on communities, skills, and pride of place. Prior to joining the Historic Dockyard, Richard was Director at Betteshanger Park and Deputy Director at Turner Contemporary. He is a member of the Creative Estuary Advisory Board, member of the Medway Place Board, and a Kent Ambassador.