The founder of the IAF in 1998, Des has long been established as a highly respected fiddle player in demand both in Britain and Ireland. From a well known Leeds musical family, he studied in Voluntary Sector Management which enabled him to develop the skills to grow the organisation considerably. An experienced teacher, Des has lectured at Newcastle and Limerick Universities. Des also serves on the board of the current Irish Government Emigrant Services Advisory Committe (Dion) and was previously a trustee for The Federation of Irish Societies. Chief Executive’s report.

des AT irisharts.org.uk

Chris joined the IAF in 2005. After teaching Social Science and Irish Studies in Birmingham, Chris taught in a school in the West of Ireland for two years. This experience as well as his considerable experience performing in various acts all over the world ideally placed him to develop the activities and programmes at the IAF. Chris is also much in demand as an accompanist both on piano and guitar.

Chris served for two years on the board of directors for Resourcing the Community, a registered charity in Leeds and has just joined the board of Seven Arts Centre, the impressive new artspace in Chapel Allerton, Leeds.

chris AT irisharts.org.uk

Patricia is the most recent addition to the Irish Arts Foundation team. She is primarily responsible for the co-ordination of the archive project ’Untold Stories’ which investigates the experiences of the Irish community in Leeds in the second half of the twentieth century.

She has considerable experience in project management having produced and directed documentaries that have been screened on BBC1 & 2, Channel 4 and ITV. She is from an Irish family in Leeds.

patricia AT irisharts.org.uk

Emily completed her diploma from the Leeds College of Music Emily began to work freelance for the BBC and then also for the IAF. Emily also has studied violin to grade eight and has a keen interest in a variety of musical styles.

info AT irisharts.org.uk

Aside from being an accomplished guitarist, Christy maintains the website on a consultancy basis and regularly takes part in Foundation events.

christy@herrontechnologies.com

Max has being working in a freelance capacity for the Irish Arts Foundation since 2002. He is responsible for co-ordinating funding and organisational development. Max has considerable experience in the voluntary sector having worked in the past for the Arts Council as well as a number of arts and regeneration projects throughout the region.

info AT irisharts.org.uk

Steve is the Irish Arts Foundation Finance Officer. He works for West Yorkshire Accounting Services and has considerable experience in charities accounting.

stephen.procter AT wycas.org.uk

Lisa has been with the Irish Arts Foundation since 2006 as events co-ordinator. She has worked in the past for the Arts Department at Leeds City Council and worked at the Tate Modern in Liverpool.

info AT irisharts.org.uk

Sabrina Piggot (Chair)
Head of Department at a secondary school in Leeds and an accomplished Irish musician Chairs Report

David Cooper (Vice Chair) Dean of Performing Arts at the University of Leeds

Kieron Mulloy (Treasurer) Chartered accountant: finance, Irish community links

Tara McStay Principal at a local primary school and accomplished musician with Irish community links

Kevin Mullowney Finance & Monitoring Officer Leeds Metropolitan University, Musician, Irish Community Links

Oliver Engley Accomplished musician and Design Consultant

Jo Heyworth Head of Human Resources at Trinity College, Calderdale, former manager at Arts Council England, and cultural sector consultant.

Prof. Lance Pettitt Director of the Centre for Irish Studies, St Mary’s University College, Twickenham.

Liz Fox Programme and Promotions Manager, Leeds International Concert Season, Leeds City Council.

Non-executive Trustees
Bill Fitzsimmons Former Housing Manager
Maureen Byrne Solicitor
Pete Saunders Retired Head of Service, Travellers Education, Leeds
Marie Ferguson Former Youth worker
Paul Fallon Arts & Regeneration Consultant
John Pender Lecturer Sligo Institute of Technology
Marie Forde Business Manager Allied Irish Bank