Paul Bosco McEneaney
Founder member & Artistic Director
Cahoots NI
Paul Bosco Mc Eneaney received a magic set when he was eight years old and began entertaining his family and friends at home. By age eleven he was a skilled close up magician with his feet on a career path that would lead to his present position, the driving force behind Northern Ireland’s award winning children’s theatre company, Cahoots NI.
A charismatic personality, a dynamic creative mind and penetrating business acumen have assured the successful establishment of his company in the local arts sector and brought invitations from abroad for his work and his expertise as a theatre director and illusionist.
In the Northern Ireland business world Paul has forged thriving partnerships with commercial companies and institutions, creating many strong links between business and the arts, including current major sponsor Northern Bank and most recently Skea Eggs.
Firmly rooted in the local arts scene Paul maintains an active connection with children’s theatre around the world and is currently secretary of TYA, the UK Centre of the International Association of Theatre for Children and Young People (ASSITEJ)
Paul’s company, Cahoots NI, continues to flourish, producing action packed new work and delivering an exciting outreach programme into the healthcare and education sectors.
“Paul is an incredible force of creativity and professionalism. He can tune in instantly to the needs of business but with a totally infectious enthusiasm for the magic of theatre. Paul is a pleasure to work with and leads a team that has become a really valued asset to Northern Bank over the past 4 years. Northern Bank is very proud to support Cahoots under the leadership and direction of such an inspirational arts practitioner”.
Nominated by Rhonda Gibson, External Relations Manager, Northern Bank
Michael Ockwell
Chief Executive
Grand Opera House
Since taking up post as the Chief Executive of the Grand Opera House in 2010, the respect Michael Ockwell has gained from both the Arts and Business sectors of Northern Ireland cannot be overlooked. In the last year he has led his organisation through a complete restructure, and has overseen the implementation of a new sponsorship strategy – a duel approach of cost reduction and income generation has undoubtedly helped to ensure the business remains sustainable whilst securing the Grand Opera Houses’ position at the heart of Northern Ireland theatre.
In order to understand what makes Northern Ireland audiences unique, Michael relocated his family from London to make Northern Ireland his home. By understanding his audience he has increased the annual average attendance of the Theatre to 78% against a national average of 64%. Michael has programmed some prestigious work in the past year including Sir David Jacobi in the Donmar Warehouses’ critically acclaimed King Lear; he has developed a key partnership with the Belfast Festival and 2011 will see Cirque Eloize and Carlos Acosta visit the GOH.
In July, the Theatre undertook its inaugural youth theatre project, the largest in Northern Ireland. Michael directed the project and his team crafted 250 young amateurs into a cast that received standing ovations at the end of five public performances. Michael has also strived to build partnerships with other local arts and business organisations, working in collaboration to find innovative ways to reach audiences and provide complementary programming and marketing support during these economically challenging times.
He is a true ambassador for the Arts in Northern Ireland, representing NI theatre on the Theatrical Management Association as well as promoting NI theatre across the UK. He is a worthy contender and very deserving of your votes!
Nominated by Grand Opera House
Grainne Powell
Artistic Director
Sticky Fingers
Grainne has been nominated for her outstanding contribution to the arts sector over the last ten years, for her commitment to advocate and promote the arts for children in Newry as well as nationally and internationally.
She has spear headed many successful initiatives and was responsible for placing Newry and Northern Ireland on the international cultural map for early years arts. In 2009 she led the Manifesto for Children’s Arts in Northern Ireland secured the support of the Northern Ireland Executive in supporting this document. Grainne has worked continually to support and direct change within Newry and Mourne area and in 2009 launched a vision to create change by establishing progressive partnerships across the different sectors and government departments.
This model was a huge success and resulted in a ripple of change across Newry where the business community were supported and encouraged to take an active role in regenerating the city, were Government officials and local business people took turns providing arts projects for children in a range of unique and often bizarre surreal ways. She is constantly encouraging and prompting these collaborations and encouraging everyone to get involved to make the city a better place for children to live.
Her determination and drive have resulted in the council taking the lead in Northern Ireland on a number of new developments such as a Children Strategy and a new children’s play and art policy and a flagship project for Newry, The creation of the first Children’s Theatre and cultural centre in Northern Ireland to be build in Newry by 2016 is her key focus.
Grainne initiated the Sticky Fingers festival for Newry in 2007 and it has since become the largest children arts festival in the UK and Ireland with a month long event of international art and theatre. Her vision to establish Newry as a centre of excellence is fast becoming a reality where each day more business and community leaders join the quest in creating and inspiring change.
In addition to Sticky Fingers she works at an international level as the Northern Ireland representive on the international forum for performing arts and young children “Small Size” and also as the Director representing Northern Ireland on the National Children’s Arts campaign ACA ensuring that the interests and voices of children across Northern Ireland are heard.
Nominated by Board of Directors, Sticky Fingers
Sheila Sloan
Chair
Belfast Music Society
The longest-standing provider of international chamber music in Northern Ireland, BMS is a small organisation run almost entirely by a voluntary Board. Despite long-term success with audiences, Friends, and partners, BMS had never succeeded in attracting much commercial sponsorship.
Sheila Sloan set about changing that situation when she became Chair. Straight away she secured sponsorship-in-kind from three businesses that provided key services for the Society, Radisson Blu hotel, Direct Wine Shipments and DKNI florists, who continue to support BMS five years later thanks to Sheila's skilful negotiation and careful nurturing of the relationships involved.
Sheila decided to secure a headline sponsor for BMS's 90th anniversary in 2011, and was rewarded when Barclays Wealth came on board with BMS's first significant cash sponsorship. The company successfully developed the sponsorship further through an A&B Reach Investment Award that led to creative music workshops for Barclays Wealth staff and children in the local community.
Sheila steps down as Chair of BMS this year. One of her parting gifts is another new cash sponsorship, with long-term sponsor-in-kind Radisson Blu. Her efforts have made a huge difference to our organisation and BMS is stronger than ever, thanks to her.
Nominated by Board of Directors, Belfast Music Society
Heather Wright
Funding Officer
Ulster Orchestra
As the Ulster Orchestra’s longest corporate sponsor, Patton is very proud of its longstanding association with the leading arts organisation. With the extremely difficult economic environment in which we find ourselves, this relationship would not be possible without the dedication of Heather Wright and her team from the Orchestra.
Heather’s enthusiasm for the job is matched only by her professionalism in the promotion of the Ulster Orchestra. It is the added value that Heather brings to the relationship and her personable approach to business that has strengthened the bond between the two organisations.
Through the Arts & Business Investment Programme the Ulster Orchestra and Patton’s have been able to meet specific strategic goals. It is Heather’s proactive nature and management skills that make this programme a tremendous success, year on year. Heather’s ability to see an initiative through from start to finish is a credit to the Orchestra and demonstrates how much they value their corporate sponsors.
Nominated by Alan Stewart, Group Marketing Manager, Patton Group