Tonya Nelson
Chair of Governance Committee and Safeguarding Trustee
Appointed by
Prime Minister
Appointment date
Appointed 2 July 2018
Term expires
31 March 2027
Register of Interest
Tonya Nelson declaration of interests (PDF 0.3MB)
About
Tonya Nelson is currently Executive Director, Enterprise and Innovation at Arts Council England. She joined the Arts Council as the first Director of Arts Technology and Innovation in 2019 and later became London Area Director where she was responsible for investment in arts and culture across the Capital. Tonya was seconded to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) in 2017 where she co-authored the policy report Culture is Digital. She sits on the board of Trustees of the Royal Collection Trust, which looks after the Royal Collection and manages the public opening of the official residences of His Majesty The King.
She was formerly Chair of the International Council of Museums (UK), Bomb Factory Art Foundation and a member of Christie’s Art World Professional Advisory Group. She worked for University College London for nine years, rising to the level of Director of Museums and Cultural Programmes. Prior to entering the cultural sector, she was a barrister and management consultant in Washington, DC, where she grew up.
Other Membership
- Digital Advisory Board
- Masterplan Committee
- Nominations Committee