Two leading Milton Keynes companies have become the first to sign up to a new sponsors scheme aimed at supporting MK Museum’s expansion.
Law firm Geoffrey Leaver Solicitors, and commercial accountants Tower Commercial Support, have committed funds over the next five years towards the cost of completing the fit-out of the Museum’s new galleries. Once open, the ancient and new Milton Keynes galleries will tell the full story of this area, from pre-history through to the creation of the UK’s biggest and boldest new town.
“It’s fitting that the first companies to join our new sponsors’ scheme are both ‘Made in Milton Keynes’,” said Museum Director Bill Griffiths. “One of the major themes in the new MK gallery will be the stories of the schemers and dreamers, the organisations and individuals, who have built their businesses, homes and lives here and are the reason for our new town’s success.
“We are absolutely delighted to have Geoffrey Leaver Solicitors and Tower Commercial Support on board – and hope they will be the first of many signing up to have a stake as sponsors in these exciting new exhibition galleries.”
The Museum still has a funding gap of £1.5m to finish work on the new galleries and undertake an extension of its popular Granary café. With funding support from MK Council, the striking gallery buildings were completed to time and budget at the end of December 2017 and are being used to host a series of temporary exhibitions while fundraising for the full fit-out continues.
To date almost £0.6 million has been secured from trusts, foundations, individual supporters, events and the Museum’s own reserves.
Richard Millard, Managing Partner at Geoffrey Leaver Solicitors said the decision to become inaugural sponsors was an easy one for a company whose own roots go back to the birth of ‘the new city’.
“The firm was founded by Geoffrey Leaver in 1965 at around the same time as Milton Keynes.
From the outset he embraced the vision for this New City, and the ‘can do’ attitude that has been fundamental to the success of Milton Keynes and Geoffrey Leaver Solicitors. His contribution to the city was recognised at the 2017 Milton Keynes Business Achievement Awards, when he was acknowledged as a pioneer of Milton Keynes,” he explained.
“Like the Museum we have grown with the city to a practice with over 50 staff members. The new galleries are a chance for all of us to recognise where we have come from, celebrate what we have built together, and create a brilliant legacy for the generations that come after us. The completed galleries will help make Milton Keynes Museum one of the best in the UK and we are glad to support them in any way we can.”
Managing Director of Tower Commercial Support, Paul Lindsay, said: “Over the years we we have had numerous great days as a family visiting the museum, enjoying all the hands on displays, learning all about the local area and it’s historic origins.
“When we started Tower Commercial Support we wanted to give something back to the museum and Milton Keynes in general as the location that founded our company. The new sponsorship scheme giving us an opportunity to help the museum fundraise for these exciting galleries,and show our support for preserving the recent and ancient stories for future generations, was too good to pass up.”
Added Paul: “We urge other businesses and individuals, large and small, to join us in showing their support for this landmark expansion project, and the uniqueness of Milton Keynes.”
Corporate sponsors are being asked to commit a minimum of £2500, unlocking a series of promotional and staff benefits. For individuals who wish to become founder sponsors, the minimum contribution is £1250.
“This is a unique and time-limited opportunity to be a founding part of creating a lasting legacy of which we know the whole city will be proud,” said Bill Griffiths.
Contact the Museum for a sponsor brochure or see the website here for full details.
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