Sara Blair-Manning - Cultural and heritage leadership

Nottingham Business School Business Leaders

Sara Blair-Manning has the job of turning Nottingham Castle into one of the biggest visitor attractions in England.

The castle is scheduled to reopen in 2021, after a £30m redevelopment.

In this episode of Nottingham Business School’s Business Leaders’ Podcast, Sara talks to host Mike Sassi about her career – from bingo-caller at Nottingham’s Goose Fayre to stately home manager with the National Trust.

Speaking at the castle during the summer of 2020, Sara talks about carefully planning and researching her career moves – but reflects on the importance of seizing opportunities.

She is also candid about the mistakes she has made and the lessons she has learned.

Outside of work, Sara talks about her love for singing and, unusually, her skills as a conductor. She also pays tribute to Nottingham Trent University, where she studied music as an undergraduate in the 1980s.

At the end of the interview, Sara has tough things to say about the city of Nottingham, which she describes as being vibrant, brave and exciting during the 1980s – but now lacking in ambition.

She hopes the reopening of the castle will help Nottingham “raise itself up”.

This podcast was recorded late in 2020, before the third lockdown started in January 2021.