John Middleton
Chief Operating Officer
John leads the development of our financial, people and operational planning, and all our colleagues who work in these teams.
John spent the first 20 years of his working life in education, always leading financial and operational teams, and always working in communities facing significant disadvantages. He left to pursue a career in regeneration, becoming the Head of Economic Development in east London and then the Principal Advisor for the Education and Culture on the Olympic Park. Immediately before joining Design Council John had worked for a number of arts and cultural bodies, helping them form new strategies to stabilise their finances. This broad range of experience has been invaluable in his current role.
John has qualifications and significant working experience in a wide range of operational areas, including being a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development. He has also served on the London Board of the Arts Council and Chaired the Boards of number of different bodies including theatres, performing arts centres and further education colleges.
Outside of work John is a Spurs fan, urban explorer and culture vulture.
