MAC's Directors oversee a dedicated team who deliver the extensive programme of work, projects and services – both on and off-site.

Deborah Kermode

Chief Executive and Artistic Director

Deborah joined Midlands Arts Centre in August 2016, prior to which she was Deputy Director at the internationally acclaimed Ikon Gallery, Birmingham. Previous roles include Director of Bright Space, an arts education charity that delivered the Creative Partnerships programme for Birmingham, to improve the skills of children and young people through cultural opportunities by raising aspirations, achievements and life chances.

Deborah’s curatorial background saw her lead Ikon’s off-site programme and act as producer for organisations including Fierce Festival, Birmingham Opera Company, RSC and Supersonic Festival, bringing programmes as diverse as opera, live art and heavy metal music to younger audiences in more innovative public situations. Deborah is currently a trustee on Supersonic and a member of the executive board of Culture Central.

Nicola Rowe

Deputy Chief Executive, Director of Commercial & Operations

Nicola (Nic) joined MAC in July 2022. Her role oversees the operational delivery of MAC’s arts programme, incorporating Customer Services, Technical Resources (facilities and arts technicians) and IT and the Commercial activity of MAC’s Catering operation and Venue Hire business, the profits from which are donated back to MAC to support it’s work.

Prior to joining MAC, Nic worked in senior operational and commercial roles for eight years at Black Country Living Museum and Buxton Crescent Heritage Trust after joining the arts and heritage sector from the Co-operative where she managed food stores.

Holly Mulhern

Director of Governance and Strategic HR

Holly has worked in governance & administration for over 15 years, starting her career at the regional development agency Advantage West Midlands in the rural, tourism & sustainable development policy team. Holly then went on to work in postgraduate administration at the University of Birmingham coordinating a doctoral training programme between the Universities of Birmingham, Leicester and Warwick with funding from the BBSRC.

Holly has a postgraduate qualification in law and her current role leads in the strategic development of the company’s legal, governance, HR and administrative services. Outside of work Holly can be found weeding her allotment or letting her hair down at a metal gig!

Sally Pennington

Head of Development

Before joining MAC, Sally worked at a number of arts organisations including Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Southbank Centre, Birmingham Hippodrome, and B:Music – where, notably, she oversaw the fundraising for the £13.2 million Symphony Hall 'Making an Entrance' capital campaign.Sally previously sat on the Board of FIERCE and is a past member of the Independent Cinema Office's Women in Leadership Programme.

With a University degree in Law, Sally is particularly interested in fundraising ethics and charity regulation. Outside of MAC, Sally is passionate about visual arts and live art experiences. Sally is a doting mummy to Daisy, her French Bulldog.