Sukhy Johal Director of the Centre for Culture & Creativity | University of Lincoln

Sukhy has over 25 years of experience across the Midlands region in a range of senior roles, with a strong affinity and understanding of the cultural ecology and the wider regional development agenda. As CEO, of Culture East Midlands, the region’s Cultural Consortium, Sukhy supported the development of the sector and established large scale transformative projects like ‘Igniting Ambition’ the Region’s Cultural Olympiad programme and devising Regional Policy. He is currently the Director of The Centre for Culture and Creativity at the University of Lincoln, and therefore recognises the growing importance of culture across the Higher Education sector; in terms of research and innovation, as well as their increasingly visible civic leadership role coupled with their primary function in developing the next generation of cultural and creative talent. Sukhy started his career as a volunteer with Apna Arts at the age of 16, and steered the organisations transformation in becoming the New Art Exchange. He continues to advocate and champion the social and catalytic power of culture, with a particular interest in supporting cultural diversity and social enterprise.