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.
Board of Directors
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Jackie McCoy
ChairmanJackie is the Associate Dean Global Engagement at Ulster University Business School and Founding Chair of Belfast International Arts Festival
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Jimmy Fay
TrusteeJimmy is Executive Producer at Lyric Theatre, Belfast and is a founding Director of Belfast International Arts Festival.
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Sandara Kelso-Robb MBE
TrusteeSandara is an advisor to basis.point, Managing Director of Human-Kind Associates and is a founding Director of Belfast International Arts Festival.
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Louise Johnston
TrusteeLouise is Finance Manager at Strategic Investment Board Limited and has been a Director of Belfast International Arts Festival since 2016.
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Paul Keogan
TrusteePaul is an award-winning Lighting Designer. Now based in Belfast, he has been a Director of Belfast International Arts Festival since 2018.
Permanent Staff
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Richard Wakely
Artistic Director & Chief ExecutiveRichard joined Belfast Festival at Queen’s in 2013 as Director and set up the new independent Festival in 2015.
enquiries@belfastinternationalartsfestival.com028 9033 2261 -
Naomi Conway
General ManagerNaomi has been with Belfast International Arts Festival since 2015.
naomi@belfastinternationalartsfestival.com028 9033 2261 -
Sarah Kelly
Marketing ManagerSarah is responsible for marketing and communications.
sarahkelly@belfastinternationalartsfestival.comDirect Line: 028 9521 9741 -
Collette Mackin
Development ManagerCollette is responsible for BIAF’s development strategy, public funding, and working with trusts and foundations.
collette@belfastinternationalartsfestival.comDirect Line: 028 9521 9742 -
Karin Jeffrey
Fundraising ManagerTalk to Karin about sponsorship opportunities, CSR, or individual giving.
karin@belfastinternationalartsfestival.com028 9033 2261
2020 Festival Team
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Alan Simpson
Literary ManagerLiterary 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.
2019 Festival Team
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Georgia Simpson
Event Management & Operations Servicegeorgia@belfastinternationalartsfestival.comDirect Line: 028 9521 9744 -
Rebecca Boyd
Event Management & Operations Servicerebecca@belfastinternationalartsfestival.comDirect Line: 028 9521 9745