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Our Board

Sunderland Culture was formed in April 2016 as a partnership set up by Sunderland City Council, the University of Sunderland and the Sunderland Music, Arts and Culture (MAC) Trust.

We are a not for profit, limited company and registered Charity in England and Wales. We are funded by Arts Council England through the National Portfolio, and with support from public funding schemes and charitable trusts and foundations.

We deliver a programme of events and participatory activities in communities across Sunderland, including the creative programmes in Arts Centre Washington, National Glass Centre, Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art and Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens.

Sunderland Culture’s activities are managed by a board comprising directors from each of the three partner organisations along with seven independent members.  The chair of the board is Jane Earl.

Trustees of Sunderland Culture Charity Board

A portrait of Jane Earl

Jane Earl – Independent Chair

A portrait of Cllr Beth Jones

Councillor Beth Jones – Sunderland City Council

A headshot of Helen Driscoll

Helen Driscoll – University of Sunderland, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education), Professor of Global Education

Portrait of Andrew Mackay

Andrew Mackay – Director – Tullie House

Portrait of Gillian Miller

Gillian Miller – Independent Trustee

Portrait of Marie Nixon

Marie Nixon – Sunderland Music, Arts and Culture Trust – Theatre Director at ATG Entertainment

Portrait of Kumareswaradas Ramanthas

Kumareswaradas Ramanthas – Young Asian Voices – Executive Manager

Portrait of Roy Sandbach

Professor Roy Sandbach OBE – Finance Committee Chair

Portrait of Sheree Rymer

Sheree Rymer – Sunderland College – Faculty Director

Portrait of Michelle Daurat

Michelle Daurat – Sunderland Music, Arts and Culture Trust

Portrait of Neil Smith

Neil Smith – Ward Hadaway – Partner, Real Estate

Catherine Auld – Sunderland City Council, Director of Economy, Culture and Sustainability
City Development