Euan Cartwright has lived in Cumbria for forty years although he was brought up in Ilkley. He is now retired after a career in arts, museums, and cultural services. He was responsible for the development of Tullie House and the Sands Centre in Carlisle before working independently in arts and museums management consultancy across the country and abroad. He was vice chair of Cumbria Vision, the regional economic development agency. He joined the board of the Cumbria Institute of the Arts in 1993 and chaired the the steering group which guided the foundation of the University of Cumbria in 2008. He retired in 2018 from the chair of the board of the University. In retirement he plays jazz guitar, designs and makes furniture and can regularly be found enjoying the Cumbrian fells.