Vikas Kumar

30 years working in the creative and voluntary sector with over two decades working in senior leadership roles.

 Experience/skills

• Strategic Leadership – setting strategy, governance, programme development and delivery, innovation, financial management, fundraising, marketing, recruitment, coaching, mentoring, board development, quality assurance – specialising in EDI
• Founder and Director of GemArts a visionary arts charity based in Gateshead
• Extensive experience and knowledge working in partnership with cultural, public, private and voluntary sector to engage with and deliver culturally relevant services to improve access and participation with Minority Ethnic communities
• Awarded an MBE in the 2017 Queen’s Birthday Honours list for services to Arts and Culture
• In 2009 received the Gateshead Award by the Mayor for outstanding service to Gateshead.
• Awarded Asian Business Connexions Arts and Culture award in 2016, and then again in 2019.
• Other Non-Exec roles include – Vice Chair and Trustee of Bensham Grove Community Centre; Trustee of Northern Stage; Member of Newcastle University Court and Nominations Committee