BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Ms Helen Meany (Chair) Ireland
Journalist

Helen Meany is an arts journalist, critic and consultant. She was Editor of Irish Theatre Magazine from 2005-2011. She is currently Literature Adviser to the Arts Council and reviews theatre in Ireland for the Guardian. In 2005-6, she was the Curator of Critical Voices (3), the Arts Council’s programme of public debate on art, culture and ideas. Previously, she was an arts journalist with the Irish Times, covering all areas of the arts, in particular literature, theatre and film, becoming Deputy Arts Editor before leaving in 2002 to pursue a freelance career. She has recently completed a two-year Master’s programme in Cultural Leadership at City University London.

Ms Val Bourne (CBE) U.K.
Founder & former Director of Dance Umbrella

Val's work in the area of dance programming is unparalleled. Val founded Dance Umbrella in 1978 and her contribution to development of contemporary dance in the UK is immeasurable. Val's contribution to dance was recognised when she was honoured with a CBE in 2004. Val has been a member on the board of IDFI/ Dublin Dance Festival since its conception in 2000.

Ms Finola Cronin Ireland
Lecturer/ choreographer in residence - UCD School of English & Drama

Finola is currently choreographer in residence and specialist lecturer in Body in Performance at UCD. In her early career Finola trained in both classical ballet and contemporary dance in London. She went on to become a founder member of Company Vivienne Newport at TAT in Frankfurt and later joined Tanztheater Wuppertal, where she remained a member for 10 years. Finola was named Arts Council dancer in residence at UCD from 1999-2001 and was subsequently appointed as dance specialist for the Arts Council, a role which she undertook from 2003-2007.

Mr Gerry Godley Ireland
Director - Improvised Music Company

Gerry Godley is the Director of resource organisation Improvised Music Company and he has been responsible for bringing some of the most exciting international music and performers to Ireland in recent years. His diverse programmes include the ESB Dublin Jazz Festival and the critically acclaimed World Music Series ESB Routes in Rhythm. He has curated the jazz, world and traditional Irish music strand of Kilkenny Arts Festival since 2005 and presents "Reels to Ragas" on Tuesdays and Thursdays on Lyric FM.

Mr Peter Pih United Kingdom
Head of Quantitative Portfolio Management at Aegon Asset Management UK

Peter is a new appointment to the board since January 2008. Based in Edinburgh, Peter is currently Head of Quantitative Portfolio Management at Aegon Asset Management UK and formerly headed up Portfolio Construction at Goldman Sachs Asset Management in London. Peter brings expertise in the areas of fundraising and financial management to the board and is a keen supporter of the arts.

Mr John Scott Ireland
Artistic Director - Irish Modern Dance Theatre

John Scott was born in Dublin and trained at Dublin City Ballet working with Anna Sokolom. John founded Irish Modern Dance Theatre in 1991 and has enjoyed great artistic success with the company. John has also been responsible for bring Meredith Monk, John Jasperse, Sean Curran, Sara Rudner, Thomas Lehmen, Chris Yon, Susan Buirge and Fabrice Dugied to Ireland. John is also a board member of Dance Ireland and City Theatre.