Staff
Office of the Chief Executive
Richard Williams – Chief Executive
Richard is Chief Executive of Northern Ireland Screen which has taken the lead role in developing the screen industry in Northern Ireland.
Under Richard’s leadership, Northern Ireland Screen developed the Paint Hall at Titanic Quarter as a film studio which was the home of HBO’s GAME OF THRONES for eight seasons. And more recently partnered with Belfast Harbour Commission in the development of Belfast Harbour Studios, a new purpose-built studio complex.
During his time, Northern Ireland Screen has expanded its support to cover large-scale production, TV drama, independent film, factual/entertainment, animation and interactive content, including the development and production of many independent films, all genres of television and a growing number of digital content projects, including HUNGER for which Steve McQueen won the Camera D’Or, Terry and Oorlagh George’s Oscar winner THE SHORE, Michael Lennox’s BAFTA winner and Oscar nominated BOOGALOO AND GRAHAM and the multi-award winning DERRY GIRLS.
Richard previously worked for Waddell Media, during that time representing Northern Ireland on PACT, the Producers Alliance for Cinema & Television. He also previously worked in newspaper management and was a commercial solicitor. He was awarded an OBE in 2019.
Marie Shivers – Office Manager and PA to CEO and Chairwoman
Joined September 2009. Marie is responsible for providing PA support to the Chief Executive and Chairwoman and is also responsible for the management of the office. Marie came to us from a career in the Diplomatic Service having served in various postings including Dublin, Singapore, New York, Uruguay and Macedonia.
Shaun Miller – Office Assistant
Development, Production and Skills
Andrew Reid – Chief Content Officer
Andrew joined the industry in 1990 as a production runner, after a few years he was sent to London by the BBC to train as a television drama Locations Manager. He joined Northern Ireland Screen in 1997.
Andrew is responsible for the investment of Northern Ireland Screen’s £13m annual development, production and skills funds. He oversees the delivery of: physical production; project development; new and emerging talent and skills development schemes.
Andrew has a BA in Drama, Film and Television from St John’s York; an MBA from Queen’s University Belfast; is an alumni of Cass Business School’s Inside Pictures; a member of BAFTA and a founding member of the Irish Film and Television Academy.
Nicola Lyons – Head of Production
Joined in October 2012 as Production Executive and was appointed Production Manager in June 2014 and then Head of Production in December 2022. Nicola is the first point of contact for production funding enquiries and oversees physical production including locations, crews and facilities. Prior to joining Northern Ireland Screen Nicola worked in the film industry for over 20 years in London, spending 10 years with United International Pictures, the international joint venture of Paramount, Universal and MGM, and 11 years with Film Entertainment consultancy Hy Smith & Associates.
Gavin Kelly – Facilities and Sustainability Manager
Gavin joined Northern Ireland Screen in June 2022 and has been tasked with gearing the local industry towards more sustainable and environmentally friendly production practices.
Prior to joining Northern Ireland Screen Gavin entered the Film and Television Industry as a Locations Assistant before progressing through the department to become a Location Manager. Over the past 7 years Gavin has worked on a variety of productions and his experiences have given him an understanding of the infrastructure and services required for all levels of Film and Television production.
Kerry Michelle O’Brien – Interactive Manager
Kerry was appointed Northern Ireland Screen Interactive Manager in October 2023 and is the organisation’s sector lead for the interactive sector delivering the interactive talent development functions. Kerry is the first point of contact for interactive enquiries with particular emphasis on guiding and developing the work and careers of new and emerging interactive development talent; attending international events to promote Northern Ireland Screen’s interactive slate and talent to the global market.
Prior to joining Northern Ireland Screen Kerry has over 30 years’ experience in screen technologies across games, VR, film, and television having worked with Nvidia, Sony, Foundry and Adobe.
Ursula Devine – Development Executive
Ursula joined Northern Ireland Screen in January 2010 and is responsible for the Northern Ireland Screen Development slate of TV and film projects, overseeing the projects from application until they complete the development process. Ursula manages development schemes for emerging talent. Ursula is also responsible for maintaining and facilitating relations with commissioning bodies, literary agents and sales agents. Previous to joining Northern Ireland Screen Ursula worked in film production for 6 years, producing two feature films in the US and also worked for an international film distribution company based in Los Angeles.
Christine Morrow – New and Emerging Talent Executive
Christine works across all BFI Network and Northern Ireland Screen short film activity in fiction, factual and animation areas. She designs and manages workshops and seminars for new and emerging talent in animation, factual and fiction sectors. She also holds an MA in Film and Production Management from Ulster University. Before joining Northern Ireland Screen Christine worked as a Development Assistant with BBC Northern Ireland Drama.
Paula Campbell – Skills Manager
Joined in August 2011 as Co-ordinator for the Aim High training scheme, a joint venture with ScreenSkills and BBC NI, and was appointed Skills Executive in November 2014. Paula is responsible for managing all of Northern Ireland Screen’s training schemes across the 6 priority sectors. She is also responsible for organising additional training workshops, master-classes and trips to festivals and markets for trainees. Paula was appointed Skills Manager in 2019. Prior to joining Northern Ireland Screen, Paula worked in production for over 25 years including being a founder and director of a local production/post production company for 10 of those years.
Clare Campbell – Interim Skills Manager
Clare joined the skills team at Northern Ireland Screen in October 2021. Working alongside the Skills Manager, she delivers all our skills development programmes across the 6 priority sectors, identifying skills gaps and creating opportunities to address those gaps. She is also responsible for placing our Craft and Technical trainees on all our funded productions and supporting productions through our Stepping Up and Mentoring Schemes. Clare has over 20 years’ experience within the local industry in both production and post. Previous to joining Northern Ireland Screen she spent 13 years as Facility Manager at Yellowmoon Postproduction.
Kerry Flynn – Skills Coordinator
Kerry joined Northern Ireland Screen in July 2018 as the Skills Assistant. Kerry assists the Skills Manager with the management of all Northern Ireland Screen’s training schemes, as well as skills trips to markets, conferences and festivals. Kerry also supports the Skills activity relating to Northern Ireland Screen’s digital incubation hub, The Pixel Mill. Since April 2019, Kerry has also managed the Skills Fund, which helps support individuals participating in training or development courses. Prior to joining Northern Ireland Screen, Kerry studied BA in Public Relations and Media in QMU, Edinburgh.
Finance, Funding and Corporate Governance
Laura Higgins – Accountant
Laura joined Northern Ireland Screen in February 2022 and is responsible for providing support to the Chief Executive to develop, manage and control all aspects of the organisation’s financial resources.
Prior to joining Northern Ireland Screen Laura was Head of Corporate Services at Orchardville. There she was part of the senior management team and was responsible for providing strategic and financial direction to ensure organisational objectives were met. She was also responsible for developing policies and procedures to ensure effective financial management and robust governance.
Laura is ATI qualified and Fellow Member of ACCA.
Carrie Stewart – Finance Officer
Carrie joined Northern Ireland Screen in May 2022 and is responsible for providing support to the Financial Controller and Accountant to ensure the effective and efficient management of public monies.
Prior to joining Northern Ireland Screen, Carrie worked for 17 years at Newtownabbey based Sleator Plant – part of the Construction Equipment Division of the Ballyvesey Holdings group. There she was responsible for the management of the complete day-to-day accounts’ functions including assisting in the month and year end preparations, reporting to senior management, the Financial Controller and Directors.
Carrie has a BA Joint Hons in French and Spanish from Queens University Belfast.
Jennifer Johnston – Unscripted Content Manager
Jennifer joined Northern Ireland Screen from London where she previously worked for a number of organisations dealing with application processes and has a background in Arts Management. Jennifer’s responsibilities including the operation of production and development funding programmes across all sectors in the screen industry. As well as Jennifer’s day to day role of Funding Executive, she also has a key role aiding the growth of the Factual Entertainment sector, through working closely with both NI indies and the wider industry.
Suzanne Harrison – Head of Funding
Joined January 2012; Suzanne manages the Funding Department including the operation of production and development funding programmes across all sectors in the screen industry. Suzanne previously worked for BBC’s UK corporate charity, BBC Children in Need, managing the grants administration process and supporting locally funded projects and fundraisers.
Nicky Coyle – Funding Executive
Joined July 2016; Nicky assists the Funding Department in all administrative matters regarding those funds within the remit of the funding team, particularly the Lottery and Skills Fund. Nicky previously worked for a media company in Toronto as a member of its finance team, dealing with public funding and tax credit applications.
Kari-Anne Proctor – Funding Executive
Kari is providing maternity cover assistance to the funding department at Northern Ireland Screen. Kari works across the Arts Council National Lottery Fund and the Screen Fund to support projects across the screen industry. In 2019, Kari joined Northern Ireland Screen as a Funding Assistant and has returned to the Funding Department after working as a Business Affairs Coordinator at Mammoth Screen. Coming from a background in Fine Art, Kari studied at Leeds Arts University and has worked in galleries across Belfast and Banbridge.
Richard Bruce – Systems Administrator
Joined October 2007; Richard is responsible for maintaining and developing all aspects of IT within Northern Ireland Screen and providing IT support to all Northern Ireland Screen staff. Richard has over 10 years’ experience in IT and telecoms support having previously worked for National Australia Group, Nortel Networks and C2K.
Education and Digital Film Archive
Bernard McCloskey – Head of Education
Joined October 2003; responsible for the strategic development and implementation of Northern Ireland Screen’s educational policy and for the management of the Digital Film Archive. Bernard works closely with Northern Ireland’s three Creative Learning Centres; the Nerve Centre, Derry, Nerve Belfast and the SELB’s Amma Centre in Armagh. The centres provide training for teachers and young people in creative digital technologies.
Bernard was previously the Creative Director with the FÍS project – a three year pilot project introducing moving image into the primary curriculum in the Republic of Ireland. Prior to this Bernard was a successful video and commercials producer/director and worked internationally in the advertising industry as a Creative Director for a number of leading advertising agencies including Saatchi & Saatchi and McCann-Erickson.
David McConnell – Education and Careers Manager
David joined April 2019 and is the main point of contact for education and careers enquiries at Northern Ireland Screen. In collaboration with key partners, David is responsible for providing opportunities for careers advice, and work experience for young people within the expanding screen industries. With over 12 years’ experience across the Creative Industries, David started his career in economic development before working as a programme manager for the Arts Council and the Department for Communities.
Tory Killen – SCREEN Coordinator
Tory works across SCREEN, the BFI Skills Cluster delivered by Northern Ireland Screen. The Skills Cluster priority is to identify skills shortages and gaps and coordinate skills and training opportunities for below-the-line production crew in Northern Ireland. Prior to working on this, Tory worked within the funding team at Northern Ireland Screen.
Francis Jones – Head of Heritage and Archive
Francis has two decades of experience in archive and records management. Specialising in broadcast collections, he previously worked for Queen’s University Belfast, Libraries NI and as a Broadcast Archivist for BBC NI. Since 2010, Francis has been employed by Northern Ireland Screen. In his current role, he is responsible for ongoing heritage and archive initiatives.He is a member of the Royal Television Society Archive Group, a Film Archives UK trustee and part of the British Film Institute’s Nations and Regions working group.
Sinéad Bhreathnach-Cashell – Curator
Sinéad joined in 2015 as a Metadata Assistant for the BFI Unlocking Film Heritage Project. She is now Curator for the Northern Ireland Screen Digital Film Archive. In this role she works with a range of partner organisations to create activities that give the public access to the UTV collection.
Paul McClintock – Archive Project Coordinator
Paul joined Northern Ireland Screen in March 2020 as Digitisation Project Coordinator, tasked with digitising the early years of UTV’s cine film collection. Paul has now moved role to become Archive Project Coordinator, working across the entire department.
Previously Paul has spent over a decade working in the film and television industry, primarily as an editor, for various clients globally including BBC, ITV, RTE and Disney. His most recent role was as the animatics and offline editor on the Broadcast Award winning series Pablo.
Bronagh McAtasney – Access and Outreach Officer
Bronagh joined Northern Ireland Screen in October 2020, and is working on the UTV Archive 1959-1969. She has a MA in Public History from Queen’s University and has worked on several projects with PRONI and Nerve Centre focussed on women’s stories and unheard voices in Northern Ireland. Previously Bronagh worked for Barnardo’s, Southern Area Hospice and LPK in Cincinnati, Ohio as a proof-reader and copywriter.
Evan Marshall – Heritage 22 Cataloguer
Evan joined Northern Ireland Screen in October 2021 as part of a project involving the UTV archive and the BFI Replay platform. Previously, he worked as a film archivist on a range of social history documentaries and series for DoubleBand Films and, between 2005-2008, worked on curating various expansions of the Digital Film Archive for Northern Ireland Screen. He produces and directs archive-based sports documentaries for his own Clackity Films and writes sports history books for Blackstaff Press.
Stephen Newe – Cataloguer
Stephen joined Northern Ireland Screen in November 2022 as a Cataloguer for the BFI Replay project. He completed an MA in Media and Broadcast Production at Queen’s in September 2022. Previously, he worked as an English Language teacher in Spain and as a Cinema Projectionist/Technician at the Queen’s Film Theatre in Belfast.
Lisa Duggan – Archive Education Officer
Lisa joined Northern Ireland Screen in October 2021. Lisa received an MA in Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies from Ulster University and has previously worked for various arts and heritage organisations such as Ulster Orchestra, National Museums Northern Ireland, and Hillsborough Castle. Her work has often been focused on public engagement, communities, and education, particularly making history accessible for those that experience barriers to engagement in heritage.
Irish Language Broadcast Fund (ILBF)
Áine Walsh – Head of ILBF
Áine joined in November 2007 and is responsible for the strategic management and delivery of the Irish Language Broadcast Fund. Áine works closely with the Irish language production sector and the broadcasters to ensure delivery of quality Irish language content and to help the sector develop. She is also responsible for a number of training programmes for Irish speakers working or seeking to work in the local production sector.
Before joining, Áine had spent 10 years working in production – as an assistant producer and producer in UTV, working across entertainment and documentary programmes and also as a radio presenter and producer for BBC Northern Ireland’s Irish Language Unit.
Áine has been an executive board member of the Celtic Media Festival since 2009.
Doireann Nic Dhomhnaill – ILBF Officer (maternity)
Doireann joined the Northern Ireland Screen team in June 2018. Before joining Doireann worked in Dáil Éireann (Irish Parliament) as a Parliamentary Assistant. She also worked as a Policy Advisor in the European Parliament in Brussels.
Brídín Ni Mhaoldomhnaigh – ILBF Officer
Brídín joined Northern Ireland Screen in May 2020. Prior to joining Brídín spent 9 years working in the Irish Language television sector, primarily acting, presenting and as a voice over artist on various productions. Brídín completed an MA in Scríobh agus Cumarsaid na Gaeilge in University College Dublin in 2016 and obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Digital Marketing from the Digital Marketing Institute in 2020.
Ulster-Scots Broadcast Fund (USBF)
Heidi McAlpin – Ulster Scots Broadcast Fund Executive
Heidi joined Northern Ireland Screen in January 2022 and is responsible for engaging with key Ulster-Scots Broadcast Fund stakeholders including broadcasters, production companies and community representatives. She has many years’ experience in local and network production and has also worked for the past 15 years in the Northern Ireland tourism sector.
Marketing & Communications
Mary McVey – Head of Marketing & Communications
Joined in June 2007, Mary is responsible for the marketing and communications team and its campaigns, corporate communications and information services. Mary develops and implements strategies to achieve Northern Ireland Screen’s mission to accelerate the development of a dynamic and sustainable screen industry in Northern Ireland by integrating economic, educational and cultural policies and actions. Mary also leads on screen tourism for the agency working closely with various tourism bodies.
Before joining Northern Ireland Screen Mary worked as a Press and PR executive with UTV. Mary holds a first-class honours undergraduate degree in Communication, Advertising and Marketing, a Diploma in Digital Marketing and is an alumni of Spain’s Media Business School and the Chief Executives’ Forum’s Women in Leadership Programme.
Finola Guinnane – Marketing and Communications Manager
Finola joined Northern Ireland Screen in November 2022 and works closely with the Head of Marketing and Communications on the development and implementation of Northern Ireland Screen’s marketing strategy. Finola is responsible for assisting the management and delivery of key areas within the overall marketing, publicity and communications activities.
Before joining, Finola worked in various in-house communications roles in the events, tourism and education sectors. Finola holds a first-class honours undergraduate degree, a postgraduate qualification in Communications and PR and a NI Public Sector Communications certificate with distinction.
