John Nicholls

John established Arts Quarter in 2008, having worked in the arts and wider not-for-profit sectors since 1986. John is Managing Partner, working with a number of Associates with track records in delivering across our Areas of Practice.

Prior to setting up Arts Quarter, John worked as a senior business development, fundraising, communications and brand professional for a number of arts organisations in the UK and overseas including Shakespeare’s Globe where he was Director of Development. He also worked at the Young Vic, English National Ballet, San Francisco Symphony and The Washington Ballet in similar roles.

Outside of the cultural sector, he worked for Friends of the Earth, the Royal Institute of International Affairs and Stonewall - taking each of these organisations through significant processes of change. Immediately prior to Arts Quarter, John was Managing Director of London Calling Arts, significantly increasing profitability and diversifying the agency’s services during his tenure.

Over the past 25 years, John has served in a number of Trustee roles. Currently, he is a Trustee of Phoenix Dance Theatre, Leeds and of Chantry Dance in Grantham. Previously he has served on the Boards of NN Contemporary Art, South East Dance, Greenwich Dance (Chair), National AIDS Trust, Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, Pacitti Company and Headlong Theatre.