Who we are

We bring strategic insight and creative expertise to support investment in the arts and strengthen the cultural sector.

Our Mission

Arts & Business NI is a charity and creative membership network bringing together cultural and commercial businesses, helping them grow stronger together through the power of partnership.

We advocate for the value of arts, invest in innovation, and ensure that the NI arts and cultural sector has the confidence, capacity, and skills to achieve creative freedom through financial independence.

Our Vision is a valued and thriving arts and creative sector achieving their ambitions and fulfilling their potential.

Our Values

Ambitious

We are ambitious and inspire ambition in others.

Inclusive

We ensure inclusivity and belonging by listening, learning and being guided by experts.

Creative

We passionately champion and celebrate creativity.

Collaborative

We are a welcoming, trusted, well-connected partner who will foster collaboration.

Our Strategy

Our strategic plan maps out our vision, ambition and roadmap. As we look ahead to the future, we know that the arts will continue to play a vital role in the social and economic wellbeing of NI.

We are a leading voice for the value of creativity and for increased investment in our world class creative sector.

Read Our Strategy

Meet The Team

Between us, we have a wealth of experience across the worlds of culture and commerce.

Our team brings together expertise across cultural strategy, business support and creative consultation, arts sponsorship and fundraising, communications, governance and professional development.

You can find out more about our team and how to get in touch below.

Brona Whittaker

Chief Executive Officer

Bio

Bio

Brona Whittaker, Chief Executive Officer

Brona is Chief Executive of Arts & Business NI, where she leads the organisation’s strategic direction in partnership with the board and staff team, driving A&B NI’s vision of a vibrant and sustainable creative sector for Northern Ireland.

Brona has more than 20 years’ experience in Northern Ireland’s cultural landscape and is a champion for the vital role that arts and culture plays in our social and economic wellbeing – bringing people together, strengthening communities, and enriching everyday life.

Out of the office: Brona is a keen runner, chasing PB’s and ticking off a few marathons along the way.

Talk to me about:

• Cultural Strategy
• Governance excellence and board development
• Strategic partnerships

Maeve McKervey

Head of Business

Bio

Bio

Maeve McKervey, Head of Business

Maeve leads on business development at Arts & Business NI, bringing over three decades of corporate sector experience. She works closely with arts and business members to build meaningful, mutually beneficial partnerships. Through sponsorship and collaboration, Maeve helps businesses explore new ways of working, strengthen their brands, engage their people, and deepen connections with local communities. She also leads the organisation’s business training programme, ensuring members gain real value from their involvement.

Out of the office: Maeve enjoys good books, long coastal walks and the occasional dip in the Atlantic Ocean.

Talk to me about:

• Investing in the Arts
• Meeting business objectives through membership
• Sponsorship and Partnership

Sarah Mackey

Operations Manager

Bio

Bio

Sarah Mackey, Operations Manager

Sarah manages A&BNI’s strategic operations, drawing on her extensive experience in business operations and account management gained in the commercial sector. Sarah leads on financial management, business member services, and executive support to the Board. Sarah also coordinates our Investment Programme, which funds and supports partnerships between arts organisations and commercial businesses, helping to create meaningful collaboration and shared value.

Out of the office: Sarah is happiest when trekking uphill, preferably ones with a good view at the top.

Talk to me about:

• Your Investment Programme application
• Invoicing and financial queries
• Making the most of your business membership

Holly Foskett

Arts Programme Manager

Bio

Bio

Holly Foskett, Arts Programme Manager

Holly has a strong background in arts management, having worked across arts venues in Belfast and beyond. Holly is responsible for Arts sector development at Arts & Business NI, specialising in fundraising advice for arts and cultural organisations looking to diversify their income. Holly manages the arts sector training development programme and is the lead for arts member services and engagement.

Out of the office: Holly is always first in line for a good film, securing tickets for gigs and catching up on her reading with a pile of books!

Talk to me about:

• Fundraising support and opportunities
• Joining our member network
• Arts sector training and development

Sarah Jones

Blueprint Programme Manager

Bio

Bio

Sarah Jones, Blueprint Programme Manager

Sarah manages our Blueprint Programme, supporting a network of 29 arts and cultural organisations to drive income growth and build long-term financial resilience. She oversees a programme of tailored training and mentoring, guiding participating organisations to invest strategically in their future sustainability. In her role, Sarah also works closely with a diverse range of funders and partners, leading meaningful, strategic conversations that explore best practice and aim to deliver lasting change across the arts sector.

Out of the Office: Sarah enjoys crafting and spending time at the pottery wheel, turning lumps of clay into something special.

Talk to me about:

• The impact of Blueprint
• Cultural strategy
• The Arts funding landscape

Amira McDonagh

Arts Administration Support

Bio

Bio

Amira McDonagh, Arts Administration Support

Amira provides operational and administrative support for the Blueprint programme, helping to ensure participating organisations are well-supported throughout their journey. Amira has a strong background in cultural event management, which she brings to her role coordinating arts development events and training. Amira brings care to every project and champions workplace wellbeing at A&BNI, currently completing a professional development certification in Wellbeing Co-ordination in the Arts and Creative Sectors from University College Cork.

Out of the office: Amira is a talented visual artist, regularly exhibiting her work locally and further afield.

Talk to me about:

• Blueprint Programme Support
• Administration queries
• Events and Training

Angela Mahon

Marketing & Communications Manager

Bio

Bio

Angela Mahon, Marketing & Communications Manager

Angela helps to share our story and connect with the people who matter most. Angela has a background in charity communications, and brings her experience to create engaging content, manage A&BNI’s digital presence, and support our work in reaching new audiences and building strong relationships. Angela ensures that our messages are clear, compelling, and helps to shine a light on the difference we and our members make.

Out of the office: Angela enjoys printmaking and creating messy art alongside her 7 year old, who is her partner in creativity.

Talk to me about:

• Telling your arts-business partnership story
• Social media collaboration
• Press and media enquiries

Meet The Board

Damian McParland

Chairman

Bio

Bio

Damian McParland, Chairman

Damian has been a Corporate/Commercial Partner in Northern Ireland law firm Millar McCall Wylie for over 20 years and is one of the leading media and entertainment lawyers in Northern Ireland.

Deborah Collins

Board Member

Bio

Bio

Deborah Collins, Board Member

Deborah is Head of Business Tourism at Visit Belfast. She has over 16 years global sales and marketing experience working within fast paced Tourism and IT sectors.

Laura Murphy

Board Member

Bio

Bio

Laura Murphy, Board Member

Laura is the Acting Deputy Director of Higher Education at the Department for the Economy, where she supports Higher Education funding and governance, as well as Student Finance. She loves theatre and dance and is an enthusiastic supporter of the arts!

 

Stephen McCrystall

Board Member

Bio

Bio

Stephen McCrystall, Board Member

Stephen works at the Equality & Human Rights Unit of the Education Authority and is a passionate advocate for diversity, inclusion and tackling inequalities.

Lisa Doherty

Board Member

Bio

Bio

Lisa Doherty, Board Member

Lisa Doherty, a seasoned professional with extensive expertise in HR and Communications. Lisa’s professional journey is distinguished by her strategic approach to aligning HR practices with business objectives and a strong commitment to legal risk management.

Emma Drury

Board Member

Bio

Bio

Emma Drury, Board Member

Emma is Director at Seacourt Print Workshop, with more than 20 years’ experience of working in the arts sector. Her primary interests are collaborative arts practice and sense of place, and she has delivered projects that led to transformation, community building and changed perception of place.

David Roberts

Board Member

Bio

Bio

David Roberts, Board Member

David is Director of Strategic Development at Tourism NI where he is responsible for a broad portfolio including Industry and Investment Programmes, experience of development and events, and accommodation certification and quality assurance.

Professor Gillian Armstrong

Board Member

Bio

Bio

Professor Gillian Armstrong, Board Member

Gillian is a Professor of Business Education and an Associate Dean (Development and Partnerships – Domestic) within Ulster University Business School and is committed to supporting the growth and development of the regional economy.

Joe Dougan

Board Member

Bio

Bio

Joe Dougan, Board Member

Joe has been working in the concert and events industry for 16 years and is a promoter for NI’s largest concert event Belsonic. His other professional interests include venues in Belfast and Dublin, outdoor events and artist management of Northern Irish media figures and comedians.

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