We are delighted to announce that Nic Greenan and Simon Briton have joined the board as Independent Trustees.
Appointed during the same recruitment round as new Chair Tom Billington, Nic and Simon further strengthen the governance of Sunderland Culture in our mission to improve lives for everyone in Sunderland through culture.
Tyneside Cinema Steward and CEO Nic is an experienced arts leader who came to the region following her time in Bradford leading the successful bid for UK City of Culture 2025.
Tax Lawyer and Sunderland resident Simon founded Quantify Tax in 2013 and is an experienced charity trustee and school governor.
Nick Malyan, Sunderland Culture Chief Executive, welcomed their appointments saying; “Independent trustees play a vital role in the governance of Sunderland Culture. Appointing strong regional leaders from the arts, heritage, and finance sectors helps ensure the charity continues to serve the people of Sunderland while planning effectively for its future”
Further information about Nic and Simon’s backgrounds can be found in their biographies below.
Nic Greenan
Nic Greenan, CEO, Tyneside Cinema
Driven by authenticity and integrity, Nic Greenan is passionate about building reciprocal relationships that affect meaningful and lasting social change and championing equality. Throughout her career, she has built a reputation for growing strong infrastructure, talent development and legacy.
In February 2024, Nic took on the role of CEO at Tyneside Cinema. Nic sees the role more as a custodian, with a remit to ensure its offer is unique, relevant and sustainable for future generations of talent in the region.
Previous roles include Strategic Lead for UK City of Culture, Policy & Events for Bradford Council, leading the successful Bid for UK City of Culture 2025, as well as Director of External Relations at East Street arts, where Nic built the reputation of East Street Arts from local hidden gem to a nationally respected artist-led organisation, leading on the development of Artist House and the UK’s first social enterprise Art Hostel.
Earlier in her career, Nic initiated LS14 Trust, developing a road map for local development in an area with a high level of social deprivation and poor perceptions. After graduating University as a mature student in 2004, Nic set up her first enterprise, Arts – Stra was an arts management company delivering a range of strategic arts projects and policies. Alongside regular commissions and briefs from clients, the company commissioned projects exploring areas of collaboration across cultural sectors from music and film to visual arts and theatre.
Simon Briton
Simon Briton, Founder & Director of Quantify R&D
Simon Briton is an experienced trustee and governance professional with over 15 years’ experience with Sunderland-based education and charity organisations, supporting them through growth and change.
In 2019, Simon was appointed Chair of Trustees for Grace House and has been Chair of Governors at Grangetown Primary School since 2017, playing a key role in strengthening leadership, accountability and long-term sustainability.
Alongside his governance roles, Simon is an innovation finance specialist with a background in tax and law, and an active member of the North East’s design and innovation community. He works with the region’s innovation-led businesses and brings a strong focus on governance, financial oversight and strategic decision-making in complex environments.
As a long-term resident of Sunderland, Simon has a strong personal and professional commitment to the city. He is an active supporter of Sunderland’s cultural life and is committed to ensuring that inclusive, accessible cultural opportunities help shape thriving communities for the future.
Sunderland Culture was founded through a partnership between Sunderland City Council, University of Sunderland and Sunderland Music, Arts and Culture (MAC) Trust. It is both a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity. The organisation brings together some of the city’s most cherished venues and programmes of activity including Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art, National Glass Centre, Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens and Arts Centre Washington.