Pro Vice-Chancellor, Graeme Thompson, was Founding Chair (2016-20) of Sunderland Culture, an organisation set up by the University of Sunderland, Sunderland City Council and the Sunderland MAC Trust to programme and develop the city’s arts venues, including the University-owned National Glass Centre and Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art.

He is also Chair of The Cultural Spring, a successful community arts project for Sunderland and South Tyneside launched in 2014 as part of Arts Council England’s Creative People and Places programme.
Graeme joined the University in 2009 after a career with the BBC and ITV. A trustee of the Customs House in South Shields and the North East and Yorkshire Film and Television Archive, Graeme is also a member of council for the Creative Industries Federation and for Arts Council North.He is also a board member for the North East Culture Partnership and Sunderland Business Improvement District (BID)