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 2025 Festival Team

Board of Directors

  • Fiona Kane

    Fiona Kane (MBE)

    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 Content, Communication & Engagement Manager at CCEA 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

  • Richard Wakely

    Richard Wakely

    Artistic Director & Chief Executive

    Richard  joined Belfast Festival at Queen’s in 2013 as Director and set up the new independent Festival in 2015.

    028 9033 2261
  • Susan Picken, BIAF's general manager - a white woman with blonde hair, wearing a black and white striped jumper.

    Susan Picken

    General Manager

    Susan Picken has worked in the arts, culture and heritage sector for over 20 years.

    Most recently, Susan was Heritage Engagement Officer at The Old Market House in Bangor, a community arts and heritage hub and co-working space.

    Prior to this, Susan was Director of the Cathedral Quarter Trust, a cultural regeneration agency working in and around Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter. The Trust’s projects included Belfast’s annual Culture Night, the city’s largest free arts event.

    Between 2008 and 2017 Susan was head of the Queen’s Film Theatre (QFT), managing all aspects of programming and operations. Part of Queen’s University, the two-screen QFT is Northern Ireland’s only dedicated cultural cinema delivering a world-class, year-round programme.

    In 2012, Susan oversaw the introduction and set-up of Film Hub NI, part of the British Film Institute’s (BFI) Film Audience Network. Film Hub NI delivers audience development and screening-based support across NI and has had a significant impact upon film culture in the region.

    Prior to this, Susan worked in the cultural cinema sector in London, including running events at London’s BFI Southbank.

    028 9033 2261
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    Paul Rice

    Marketing Manager

    Paul leads on marketing and sales strategy for BIAF, including audience development, branding, advertising and print.

    028 9521 9741
  • Karin Jeffrey

    Karin Jeffrey

    Fundraising Manager

    Talk to Karin about sponsorship opportunities, CSR, or individual giving.

    028 9033 2261

2025 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