University of Cumbria honours cultural leader behind major Carlisle redevelopment

Amy Walker, Head of Strategy and Capital Programme at Tullie in Carlisle, has been named Alumnus of the Year 2025 by the University of Cumbria, recognising her exceptional leadership and lasting impact on the arts and culture sector across the region. 

Presented during this week’s graduation ceremonies, the award celebrates alumni who have made outstanding contributions in their field and who support and champion the university’s values and community. Amy was nominated by university staff in recognition of her visionary role leading one of the North of England’s most ambitious museum redevelopment programmes. 

Amy grew up in Caldbeck and attended Caldew School before graduating in 2001 with a BA (Hons) in Design Crafts from the former Cumbria Institute of the Arts, now part of the University of Cumbria. She began her career at Tullie on a zero-hours contract as a gallery assistant, and over the last 21 years has worked her way up through the organisation to become a key member of the senior leadership team. 

Amy is the strategic force behind Project Tullie, the museum’s multi-phase, £12 million capital development plan. The project is transforming Tullie into a bold, inclusive and forward-thinking cultural institution – reimagining how visitors engage with its nationally significant collections and creating new spaces for learning, creativity and community use. Phases 1 and 2 have already revitalised galleries and improved access, and Amy is now leading the next stage of the redevelopment, which includes unlocking over 100,000 objects for public display for the very first time. 

“My time at the university gave me an incredible foundation,” said Amy, Tullie’s Head of Strategy and Capital Programme. “The course fused creative practice with strategic thinking, and the mix of teaching styles, across three very different course leaders, taught me to look at design from multiple angles. It’s helped shape the way I lead large-scale projects like this, where collaboration and vision go hand in hand.” 

Despite her impressive achievements, Amy is very modest – highlighting that her success comes down to teamwork and the creative community around her. She’s passionate about making Carlisle a more vibrant, cultural city and is driven by the desire to create meaningful jobs and opportunities for people in the creative sector locally. For Amy, Tullie is not just where she works – it’s home. 

“Amy is an exemplary role model,” said Karen Jones, Business Manager at the university's Institute of Education, Arts and Society. “It is highly fitting for her to be awarded Alumnus of the Year for her commitment to driving forward and supporting opportunities for Carlisle’s creative and cultural sector.” 

Increasing in number each year, the University of Cumbria Alumni Association currently has over 77,000 members including those who studied at its legacy institutions. To find out more, visit www.cumbria.ac.uk/alumni  

WATCH: Arts and culture leader Amy Walker discusses her University of Cumbria award