National Glass Centre appoints new director

RACHEL SMITH will be the new Director of The National Glass Centre, part of the University of Sunderland.

Smith replaces KEITH MERRIN who left in May to become Director of Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums.

She will move from her current job as the university's Head of Alumni and Development to take up the post in December.

In her new role, Smith will work closely with Sunderland Culture, which has offices in the centre.

“My family and I are huge fans of the National Glass Centre and I am thrilled to be taking it forward into its next development phase,” she said.