Victoria Robinson

Chief Executive Officer at The Met, Chair Manchester Jazz Festival, Member of the Greater Manchester Music Commission

Bury, England, United Kingdom

About

I am a cultural sector leader with over 25 years’ experience driving strategic growth, governance, and income diversification. As Chief Executive of The Met, I have delivered transformational outcomes: a £4.6m capital campaign completed on time and under budget, £6m+ secured in funding, and innovative digital projects such as United We Stream, which reached 7 million viewers and raised £700k for the night-time economy. My passion lies in shaping resilient, creative organisations that deliver cultural and economic impact. I bring expertise in board development, risk and compliance, and partnership building across public, private, and voluntary sectors. I am chair of Manchester Jazz Festival, a member of the Greater Manchester Music Commission and a member of the Greater Manchester Night Time Economy Taskforce. I offer strategic insight into cultural regeneration, placemaking, and audience growth. I am committed to leveraging governance and leadership experience to help organisations thrive in a changing landscape.

Experience

  • Chair at manchester jazz festival
    Mar 2025 - Present · 1 yr 5 mos

  • The Met (20 yrs 9 mos)
    • Chief Executive Officer
      Dec 2014 - Present · 11 yrs 8 mos

      Strategic and operational lead for The Met, a National Portfolio Organisation (Arts Council) & part of the Cultural Portfolio (Greater Manchester Combined Authority) Working key funders including Arts Council as a National Portfolio Organisation; Greater Manchester Combined Authority and the Local Authority Led the £4.6million capital campaign at the Grade II Listed venue, completing on time and under budget HR policy and systems development including line management and staff development Planning and logistics lead for 5,000 capacity festival Head for the Hills Strategy development for the business, including vision, mission and values, financial plans, budgets, income diversification and fundraising Board and trustee development including strategic aims and working with the Charity Commission

    • Member Board Of Trustees/ Company Director
      Oct 2016 - Present · 9 yrs 10 mos

      Secretary for the charity that operates The Met co-ordinating administration and reporting Appointed to link together governance and operations within the organisation Reporting to the Charity Commission & Companies House Keeping up to date with charity law and policy

    • Deputy Director
      Nov 2012 - Dec 2014 · 2 yrs 2 mos

      Deputy to the Executive Director Assisting business planning and financial management of the organisation Diversified income, increased donations, increased visibility as a charity as the key fundraiser

  • North West Secretary at CIPR – Chartered Institute of Public Relations
    Sep 2002 - Dec 2005 · 3 yrs 4 mos

    Representing the students on the North West Committee for which I won an award. I was later elected North West Secretary on the committee, a role I fulfilled for three years.

  • PR Consultant at Mute
    Jan 2005 - Nov 2005 · 11 mos

    Working on the launch of Coles Corner, the fourth studio album from English pop/rock musician Richard Hawley.

  • Account Manager at MC2 Communications
    Oct 2003 - Dec 2004 · 1 yr 3 mos

    Experience in media relations, marketing, project management, corporate identity and internal communications for a range of B2B and B2C clients.