Sally has been working in the cultural sector in the North East for the past 20 years, and is driven by place: the need and the opportunity to move the region on through arts, culture and creativity. Her current role is Assistant Director – Partnerships & Communications at Beamish Museum, where she leads on external affairs, fundraising activity, communications, and coordinates the museum’s regional, national and international partnership programmes. Sally and her colleague Partnerships Officer Liz Peart work together on growing the Business Friends of Beamish membership scheme, which currently stands at 66 partners.
Before joining Beamish in 2013, Sally held various roles in local authority cultural services and was Arts Manager at Durham County Council from 2009 – 2013, playing a key role in catalysing the vibrant festivals and events culture the county is known for today. She has also worked for the regional cultural agency Museums, Libraries Archives North East, leading on a regional programme to develop cultural education for schools.
Sally believes in giving as much back as possible and keeps busy in her spare time. She is on the board of Stanley-based arts organisation The Forge, artist-led studios The NewBridge Project, Visit County Durham and the Culture Durham partnership. She is also a consortium member of the Arts Council England funded project East Durham Creates.