Sukhy’s Role

As Director, Sukhy is in charge of the vision and future direction of the Centre. He takes an entrepreneurial, cross-sector approach to developing C4CC’s projects, bringing the University together with partners from across the cultural sector and beyond.

Sukhy is responsible for initiating and nurturing innovative partnerships across art, design, media and technology, science and engineering, life and social sciences disciplines. With a remit to deepen understanding of the roles that culture and creativity play for people, places and organisations, Sukhy spots and develops opportunities to bring world-class research into real-world projects.

A Bit of Background

Sukhy has over 20 years of senior experience covering the full breadth of the Cultural sector and working with local communities and a demonstrable track record of managing and innovating partnerships. His professional background also includes roles in local, regional and national government, and the commercial sector. Sukhy champions the social and catalytic power of culture, with a particular focus on cultural diversity and social enterprise.

Sukhy started his career as a volunteer with Apna Arts at the age of 16. He steered the organisation’s transformation to become the New Art Exchange, one of the first BAME led art galleries outside of London, and is a trustee for the organisation today. He worked on major events in Nottingham, including the 1996 European Football Championships, before moving onto Leicester where he supported the development of one of the UK’s most successful cultural-led regeneration programmes. He also shaped one of the first city based Cultural Strategies, which saw the establishment of the Cultural Quarter in Leicester and brought investment into the city.

As CEO, Sukhy then went onto lead Culture East Midlands, the region’s Cultural Consortium, on behalf of Government; driving the development of the sector, establishing large-scale transformative projects like the Cultural Olympiad and drafting Regional Policy. From 2009 Sukhy worked as a management consultant across culture, economic regeneration and place-making projects.

He Joined the University in June 2016 and manages the cross-college and inter-disciplinary Centre for Culture and Creativity from the College of Arts.  He has a background in supporting Social and Community Enterprises and is a National Council Member and Midlands Area Chair for Arts Council England.