Role: Marketing Manager
Company: Strand Cinema
Track Record: ‘Were it not for the Strand Arts Centre the building would now, in all likelihood, have been demolished for development or be sitting derelict,’ she says.
What does your job entail?
The lion’s share of my time is devoted to the development of the Strand Arts Centre (www.strandartscentre.com), a new, non-profit charity which has taken on the tenancy of the Strand Cinema.
In addition to film, we are delivering a number of workshops and live performances from the building with the core objective of expanding the arts, culture and heritage offer in east Belfast.
As well as organising the programme, I am responsible for obtaining the grant funding which is vital for this project.
As the Strand was not viable as a cinema, were it not for the Strand Arts Centre it would now, in all likelihood, have been demolished for development or be sitting derelict.
Knowing this is very motivating but also brings quite a lot of pressure to ensure the charity meets its long-term objectives and the Strand remains a valuable community asset.
Currently a significant proportion of my time is also dedicated to my role as chair of the East Belfast Arts Festival. The festival is now in its second year and is taking place from August 28 – September 1, in various locations in east Belfast (www.eastbelfastartsfestival.org).
Some of this work overlaps with that for the Strand Arts Centre as the Strand is a pivotal venue in delivering the festival this year.
Is it 9-5?
Is any job a 9-5 these days? With 24/7 accessibility to emails and the internet I could be working 24/7. However, it is important that I find a balance as I have two young children with another on the way.
How did you get into this line of work?
Whilst I work at the Strand Arts Centre on a voluntary basis, my involvement came about as my family own the building and, since the cinema was no longer financially viable, I stepped in to look at alternative uses for this unique property.
My involvement with the Strand Arts Centre led me to a position on the East Belfast Arts Festival board and more recently as its chair. I had no previous experience of working in the voluntary sector and liaising closely with the local community and creative sector.
To date I have found this aspect of my work to be very rewarding and I have met some fantastic people.
Outline your career to date?
My background is as a chartered surveyor. I worked in London and Belfast specialising in the asset management of retail and leisure property.
I thoroughly enjoyed surveying but left the profession four years ago as the attraction of more flexible hours as a self-employed business consultant appealed to me as a new mother.
My first job was the development of an on-line travel company (www.morzineskichalets.com) which I have helped grow and for which I still act as an executive director.
This experience has given me a sound understanding of the legal, financial and marketing components of a start-up business.
Tell us about your qualifications/training.
I graduated from University of Aberdeen with a Bsc (Hons) in land economy and after the necessary couple of years’ practice I qualified as a chartered surveyor.
My more general business skills has really been ‘on the job’ with the encouragement from my parents to be entrepreneurial.
I started my first small business whilst a student, securing the distribution rights for a mobile phone holder and selling them through petrol filling stations to help finance my student expenses.
I don’t expect ventures to all be plain sailing but I think for success it is vital to do your due diligence and only learn every lesson once.
What qualities are required for your job – personal and professional?
As much of my work is voluntary and, at times, the hours are very intense it is important to have a genuine love of the arts, the local area and a sound understanding of finance.
Creating and establishing a new arts venue in the Strand and helping develop a relatively new arts festival involves a lot of funding applications and lobbying – determination and a thick skin are a must!
What are the biggest challenges and rewards of your work?
Balance is always a challenge but with a brilliant support network of family and professional colleagues I find I can do it.
Knowing that our work at the Strand is helping to keep the building alive and a part of the community has really helped to motivate me. Plus watching the development of the 2nd East Belfast Arts Festival Programme come together has been very exciting.
We had a fantastic launch with Creative Exchange which showcased their Art in the Eastside project which will feature in this year’s festival – its Ireland’s largest outdoor visual exhibition focusing purely in East Belfast . We have a strong musical and theatre line up including Kaz Hawkins, The 39 Steps with Kandu Theatre Company, Roy Walker, Brian Houston – to name only a few. Plus we have teamed up with Translink on a Public Art Trail of East Belfast!
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I used to play a lot of sport but my spare time has diminished as my family has grown and I just about fit in the odd trip to the gym. Spending time with my family takes priority now and we often take trips to the local parks or bake in the house.
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself.
As children, my twin sister and I represented Northern Ireland at gymnastics, Ulster at swimming and Ireland at hockey on the same teams.
Who has inspired you most in your life?
As a child I was inspired by Bob Geldof and Live Aid and was fortunate enough to meet him. I have also found inspiration in reading biographies of successful entrepreneurs, such as Richard Branson.
More recently the Strand Arts Centre hosted the opening night of the much lauded film Good Vibrations. After the showing Terri Hooley made a speech before welcoming to the stage the directors, producers and script writers, the vast majority of whom are from east Belfast.
To see these talented and successful people standing on our stage telling everyone that their experiences at the Strand helped start them on their journeys in the creative industries was truly inspirational for me.