Leadership team
Keith Merrin, Director
Keith has overall responsibility for all nine of our museums and galleries and Tyne & Wear Archives and to ensuring we fulfil our 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 our region 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 our financial and people resources, to efficiently deliver the organisational plan approved by the Strategic Board, as well as directly leading the teams responsible for finance, resources 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.
Bill Griffiths, Head of Programmes and Collections
Bill is responsible for ensuring the provision of wide ranging, popular and accessible programmes and for ensuring the collections we hold are stewarded, developed and utilised in support of the organisation’s mission. He is the Senior Management lead for Tyne & Wear Archives.
Bill is a member of the Hadrian’s Wall Management Board, and has led project teams to deliver several major public events along Hadrian's Wall. He also leads on the co-ordination of several of the regional programmes that we deliver for the North East, as well as our international work.
Malavika Anderson, Manager, Great North Museum: Hancock
Malavika leads the Great North Museum: Hancock 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.
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 and he is joint vice chair of the Wallsend Chamber.
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 our nine museums and galleries and the archives. She works with the Director, venue managers and colleagues providing strategic support across all communications and fundraising and 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.
Clare Smith, Learning & Engagement Manager
Clare leads Learning and Engagement across our venues. Working with colleagues 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.
Chris Hasker, Finance & Accounting Manager
Chris leads on the provision of Finance and Accounting services. He works closely with venue managers and service area leads to provide strategic and operational finance support and to ensure all of our activities meet the highest standards of accountability, transparency and value for money. Chris manages the Finance and Accounting teams and leads on financial reporting and compliance for Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums, TWAM Enterprises Ltd, Exhibitions by TWAM Ltd and TWAM Development Trust.
Hugh Stolliday, Commercial Manager, TWAM Enterprises Ltd
Hugh leads TWAM Enterprises, our commercial arm. With responsibility for retail, hospitality and private hire and events across our venues, he helps to make the whole organisation more resilient by earning more of its own income. Working closely with venue managers and front of house teams, TWAM Enterprises provides high quality and sustainable food and drink and retail experiences, allowing our customers to make more of their visits. Hugh reports to the TWAM Enterprises board.
