Keith Merrin

Keith has been Director of North East Museums (formerly Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums) since April 2021 overseeing its nine museum venues, public archive service and award-winning programmes of activity with young people and delivering health and wellbeing outcomes for communities through culture.

He was previously Chief Executive of Sunderland Culture a unique city-wide cultural regeneration company, Director of the Woodhorn Trust in Northumberland, Creative Director of Newcastle Gateshead Initiative and Director of Bede’s Word in Jarrow where he spearheaded securing the UK nomination of Wearmouth-Jarrow for UNESCO World Heritage Site status. He spent the early part of his career working for national nature conservation charity The Wildlife Trusts.

Keith is a board member of the Virgin Money Foundation and North East Culture Partnership and was a 2004-5 Fellow of the Clore Leadership Programme