Cristal Palace By Transe Express At Belfast International Arts Festival 2022 In Belfast Titanic Quarter Photographer Johnny Frazer 230422 (89) Resized

Festival Team

We are governed by a Board of Directors and managed by a team of permanent staff. We also employ a temporary team just before and during Festival.

Jump to: Board of Directors Permanent Staff 2024 Festival Team

Board of Directors

  • Fiona Kane

    Fiona Kane

    Chairperson

    Fiona is Director of the Vice-Chancellor’s Office at Ulster University.  She joined the Board in 2023

  • Kim Mawhinney

    Kim Mawhinney

    Vice-Chair

    Kim is Senior Curator of Art, at the Ulster Museum, National Museums NI and has worked in partnership with Belfast International Arts Festival for many years. She joined the Board in 2021.

  • Sharon Doherty

    Sharon Doherty

    Trustee

    Sharon is Head of Communication and Outreach at NI Consumer Council and holds a First-Class Honours Degree in Communication, Advertising and Marketing. She joined the Board in 2021.

  • James McIlroy

    Trustee

    James is the Finance Manager for the Strategic Investment Board. He has extensive experience working in senior finance roles with a range of organisations.  He joined the Board in 2023.

Permanent Staff

2024 Festival Team

  • Alan Simpson

    Alan Simpson

    Literary Manager

    Literary critic and writer Alan Simpson  joins  as Literary Manager.
    Under the name John Self, Alan has written features, interviews and literary criticism for numerous publications including The Guardian, The Times, The Observer, The Irish Times, The Spectator and New Statesman.

  • Phil McCandlish

    Technical Director

  • Dermot McGowan

    Festival Operations Manager
    028 9521 9744

  • Andrew Moore

    Marketing Officer

  • Becky Turnock

    Project Manager

  • Orry Robinson & Lauren Irwin (JComms)

    Press Team

  • Box Office at Visit Belfast

    You can book tickets online 24/7 or you can phone Box Office at Visit Belfast Welcome Centre on 028 9024 6609, or pop in to 9 Donegall Square North, Belfast, BT1 5GB (opposite Belfast City Hall).

    Opening hours:

    Monday – Saturday 9:00am – 5:30pm

    Sunday 11:00am – 4.00pm.

    02890246609