Meet the Team

Independent Chair Dr Susanne Burns

Dr Susanne Burns is an arts management consultant with more than 40 years of senior management and leadership experience in the cultural sector.  

Susanne was born in Boldon Colliery and now lives in Sunderland, and has spent her career bridging the gap between communities and the arts, introducing people to the benefits and power of arts and culture.

Her experience includes roles such as dance and drama teacher, Northern Arts’ first dance officer, Head of Management at Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA), Director of Business Development at the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, a similar role at FACT, and freelance cultural sector consultant.

Her consultancy work currently is both regional and national, and includes working with Sunderland-based We Make Culture, the Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art (MIMA), North East Photography Network as well as dance companies based in London and Wales.

Claire Finlay; The Cultural Spring Charity

Professor Yitka Graham; Head of the Helen McArdle Nursing and Care Research Institute, University of Sunderland

Ross Millard; Sunderland Music, Arts and Culture (MAC) Trust

Kumareswaradas Ramanathas (Ram), Young Asian Voices (YAV)

Charlotte Harrison; Inspire South Tyneside

Emma Horsman; Project Director (Adviser)

Michelle Wright; Cultural Spring Finance (Adviser)

Sandra Naglis; Community Champion (Observer)

Diane Gray; Community Champion (Observer)

Ruth Dewhirst; ACE Relationship Manager (Observer)

Anne Fountain; South Tyneside Council (Observer)