Hazel has worked at the Strand for about 12 years, and has lots of family connections to our other staff members. Hazel is George’s sister, Linda’s sister-in-law, and Ryan’s mum!
Her favourite days in the Strand is when she is looking after our older patrons during our Thursday Silver Screenings. She also played a fantastic role in Patrick’s short film, Reflections, which was filmed and premeiered in the Strand.
When she’s not working in the Strand, she loves spending time her with two grandchildren.
Claire is a business leader with a passion to use her skills to create a sustainable, inclusive environment for all. An environment that embraces new ways of working and all cultures to make a better community for local families, society in Northern Ireland, the rest of the UK and the globe.
Combining her leadership skills built up over the last 20 years in the global technology market; her experience working in the NHS as a Dietitian; her qualifications and being a mother of young twins, she brings a strategic, pragmatic and creative approach to business and problem solving.
Her current projects include studying for her Chartered Institute of Marketing Digital Diploma, being the chair for the Penrhyn School Parent Association, Parent Rep for her son’s class at Campbell College Junior School and on the committee for the East and South Belfast Homestart charity where she is leading on fundraising.
Marie Jones has enjoyed an extensive career as an actress on stage and screen, as well as an award-winning playwright of hits including Stones in his Pockets, A Night in November and Women on the Verge of HRT.
Glenn Patterson is the acclaimed author of ten novels, and also co-scripted Good Vibrations. He has written various radio plays and short stories, articles and essays, and collaborated on several opera productions.
Dan Gordon is a passionate advocate and lobbyist for the Arts. He is an active board member, works with numerous community groups, acts, directs and writes for the stage, and presents and co-authors television and radio documentaries.
David Holmes is a Belfast born DJ and producer. In his varied professional life, he has produced five of his own albums and over 20 film soundtracks including Out of Sight, Ocean’s 11, Five Minutes of Heaven and ’71.
Stephanie has been a member of with Chartered Accountants Ireland for over 15yrs. She trained and qualified with one of the Big Four accountancy firms.
During her term within the big four she specialised within the charity sector and has a particular interest with local charity. This skillset will be essential to support the vision of the Strand.
Stephanie has gained a wealth of accountancy knowledge within both the private and public sector working with a diverse range of businesses.
She is local resident who is passionate of local history and together help achieve the future vision for the Strand Arts Centre.
Amberlea Neely is Director of Starling Start, a creative practice and consultancy with a focus on arts, place and collaboration. Previously she led creative and inclusive public engagement as Acting Director of non-profit PLACE.
Amberlea’s career has been rooted in understanding place and creating positive change in Northern Ireland including: investigative research into forgotten city spaces; community led neighbourhood plans; and framing a borough wide bid for UK City of Culture. She works with a range of clients and partners – local and central government, agencies, charities, artists, architects, academics, and communities of practice.
Amberlea is a Lecturing Associate on the MA Arts Management at Queen’s University Belfast, and a panellist on the Irish Architecture Foundation’s Reimagine Placemaking initiative. She holds an MSc in Cultural Management, a PgCert in Executive Leadership and a BA (Hons) in Fine Art.
Amberlea lives a very short stroll away from the Strand Arts Centre with her husband and son.
To learn more about Amberlea’s work visit www.starlingstart.com or follow on social media @starlingstart
Paula has a breadth of experience in the Communications and Marketing sectors, in Belfast, Dublin and London, working with a variety of global and local brands.
She has acquired an acute knowledge and understanding of how to develop and deliver campaigns which help to raise the profile and awareness of brands, organisations and charities, and hopes to utilise her skills and professional skillset to support the development of the Strand.
Since beginning her current role as Communications and Marketing Executive at Belfast Harbour she has developed a passion for the importance of the local arts and cultural sector to tourism in Belfast, and how its development is aligned with Northern Ireland’s growing reputation as a tourism destination, as well as an attractive place for business and investment.
Brian has over 20 years of practice in the commercial property market. With specialised knowledge in Property Management, Brian has detailed experience in preserving and amplifying the asset value of leisure, retail, office and industrial properties. Notable clients include Castlecourt Shopping Centre, Gyle Shopping Centre, Linenhall office block and Obel Tower, Ireland’s tallest building.
As a local resident and enthusiastic patron of the arts, Brian is relishing the opportunity to apply his professional skills to the betterment of East Belfast’s arts infrastructure.
