Leadership team
Keith Merrin, Director
Keith has overall responsibility for TWAM's commitment to deliver a world-class service which is innovative, imaginative, creative, inclusive, secure and sustainable. This entails the development of a clear strategic vision and management of resources, with a focus on ensuring that everyone in Tyne and Wear has access to archives and museums provision and that it has a significant and positive impact upon their lives.
Keith is accountable to Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums’ Strategic Board and to the funding stakeholders of the Joint Service. He is also a director of TWAM Enterprises Ltd which undertakes commercial and enterprise activity on behalf of TWAM and of Exhibitions by TWAM which manages exhibition production activities for TWAM.
Jackie Reynolds, Head of Finance, Governance and Resources
Jackie is responsible for the strategic management and administration of TWAM's financial and people resources, to efficiently deliver the Organisational Plan approved by the Strategic Board, as well as directly leading the teams responsible for TWAM’s finance and resources, fundraising and commercial activities.
Jackie is a director of TWAM Enterprises Ltd and of Exhibitions by TWAM. Jackie is also company secretary for TWAM Development Trust which raises funds from individual donors, trusts and foundations to support a wide variety of museum activities.
jackie.reynolds@twmuseums.org.uk
Bill Griffiths, Head of Programmes and Collections
Bill is responsible for ensuring the provision of wide ranging, popular and accessible programmes across TWAM and for ensuring the collections it holds are stewarded, developed and utilised in support of the organisation’s mission. Bill also leads the Arts Council England funded Culture Bridge North East and Museum Development North East Sector Support Organisations that TWAM delivers for the region.
Bill chairs the Creative Case North Consortium, which supports the cultural sector to develop its thinking around the Creative Case for Diversity. He is a member of the Hadrian’s Wall Management Plan Board, and chairs the Children and Young People’s working group for the North East Cultural Partnership.
bill.griffiths@twmuseums.org.uk
Malavika Anderson, Manager, Great North Museum: Hancock
Malavika leads the Great North Museum where she oversees the creative and business development of the museum and its programmes, as well as the continuing professional development of the team. Working closely with Newcastle University, Malavika is committed to working with the team to improve people’s life chances through inspiring and entertaining access to science and culture. Malavika is a trustee at Norfolk & Norwich Festival and board member at Kettle’s Yard, Cambridge.
malavika.anderson@twmuseums.org.uk
Vacant post, Manager, Discovery Museum and Tyne & Wear Archives
This post manages Discovery Museum and Tyne and Wear Archives, both based in Blandford House, Newcastle. This involves setting the strategic direction and vision for Discovery Museum and the Archives, leading the teams who run these services, planning the public programme of exhibitions and events and overseeing the delivery of all targets set out in the business plan.
Geoff Woodward, Manager, North & South Tyneside Museums
Geoff manages South Shields Museum & Art Gallery and Arbeia, South Shields Roman Fort in South Tyneside, and Segedunum Roman Fort and the Stephenson Railway Museum in North Tyneside. Geoff is responsible for the strategic and creative vision and development of the venues, and their business management, leading the teams that deliver the programming, services and visitor experience. He also provides support to other cultural organisations and projects within the boroughs as part of TWAM’s wider role and he is joint vice chair of the Wallsend Chamber.
geoff.woodward@twmuseums.org.uk
Julie Milne, Chief Curator, Art Galleries
Julie manages the Laing Art Gallery in Newcastle upon Tyne, Hatton Gallery on behalf of Newcastle University, and Shipley Art Gallery in Gateshead. Julie is responsible for the creative and strategic vision of each gallery, leading the teams, business planning, developing the buildings, designated collections and programmes. Julie sits on the steering group for the National Subject Specialist network for British Art led by Tate and the Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art.
Sheryl McGregor, Communications & Development Manager
Sheryl leads on communications and development for TWAM’s nine museums and galleries and the archives. She works closely with venue managers and colleagues to advise on all communications and fundraising and to provide strategic marketing support. Sheryl manages the Communications, Development and Digital team. She chairs the Newcastle Gateshead Cultural Venues Communications Group and the Family Explorers and North East Family Arts Network Steering Group and is the Project Manager for The Late Shows.
sheryl.mcgregor@twmuseums.org.uk
Jon Walker, Enterprise Manager, TWAM Enterprises Ltd
Jon is responsible for the management of TWAM Enterprises Ltd, which is TWAM’s independent trading company. It was established on 1 May 2018 to undertake commercial and enterprise activity, with the aim of increasing self-generated income through the development of various income streams including retail, venue hire, catering and image licensing. In recent years Jon has been actively involved in the British Council’s International Museum Academy programme, delivering training programmes in China, Greece and the UK, looking at the subject of Commercial Enterprise.
jonathan.walker@twmuseums.org.uk
Clare Smith, Learning & Engagement Manager
Clare leads Learning and Engagement across TWAM's venues. Working with staff across TWAM and a wide range of external partners Clare aims to ensure our programmes connect to communities, collaborating with people, to create inspiring and relevant learning and engagement opportunities that make a positive difference in people's lives. Clare manages the Communities team along with Volunteering for TWAM.
