Gemma Nichols
Gemma Nichols FRSA is the Chief Executive of Portsmouth Creates, the city’s cultural development organisation, where she leads the vision to champion creativity, connect communities, and position culture at the heart of Portsmouth’s future.
With over a decade of experience across the cultural sector, Gemma has built a career bringing together artists, organisations, businesses and communities to deliver ambitious programmes that create lasting social, economic and cultural impact. Her work is driven by a belief that culture has the power to transform places, inspire people, and shape stronger, more connected communities.
Before joining Portsmouth Creates, Gemma was part of the senior leadership team behind Southampton’s UK City of Culture 2025 bid, where she played a key role in developing the city’s cultural vision, leading strategic partnerships, fundraising and stakeholder engagement. Earlier in her career, she worked with Culture Liverpool, contributing to one of the UK’s most recognised cultural programmes and supporting major events that helped reinforce Liverpool’s international reputation as a leading cultural destination.
Today, Gemma leads Portsmouth Creates in supporting the city’s artists, creative businesses and cultural organisations, advocating for collaboration across sectors and helping unlock new opportunities for investment, innovation and participation. Her leadership is centred on creating an inclusive cultural ecosystem where creativity can flourish and everyone has the opportunity to contribute.
A Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA), Gemma is a passionate advocate for the role of culture in creating thriving places. She continues to champion creativity as a catalyst for positive change, helping shape a more vibrant, resilient and ambitious future for Portsmouth and its communities.
