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At this year’s A&B NI Cultural Governance Conference, supported by award-winning accountancy and business advisory firm HM Chartered Accountants, we’ll explore fresh ways of thinking about governance—and how leadership in the boardroom and beyond, can become more inclusive, dynamic, and community-led. Together, we’ll explore governance models that redistribute power, broaden access, and enrich programming.

With our spotlight speakers Saad Eddine Said from New Art Exchange and Annabel Turpin from Storyhouse, we’ll hear about different approaches to reimagining governance and embedding communities at the heart of decision-making in organisations. We’ll also hear fresh insights from emerging organisations starting out on their governance journeys and challenging established models.

Attendees can expect

• Thought-provoking discussions on current issues facing charity boards, alongside inspirational accounts of how trustees and leaders are driving positive change. 
• Opportunities to engage, share new ways of working and ask questions
• Opportunities to connect, learn and be inspired by fellow board members and leaders

To receive information directly to your inbox about this event please email h.foskett@artsandbusinessni.org.uk

The Schedule 

Doors open at 9:00am for refreshments and event starts at 9:30am.   

•        09:00 - Doors open with Refreshments /Waiting Room for Online 
•        09:30 – Start A&BNI Welcome
•        09:45 - 09:55 - Sponsor Welcome
•        10:00 - 10:15 - Insights from Saad Eddine Said

Saad Eddine Said is a curator who initiates and develops partnerships between communities, creatives, and institutions to reshape the future of towns and cities. His purpose is to re-think and re-imagine the potential of citizens as a societal foundation for leadership and decision-making. He is the CEO and Artistic Director of New Art Exchange Co-Director and Co-Founder of Citizens In Power and Co-Chair of Contemporary Visual Arts Network England

•        10:15 -10:30 -Leading with People- Saad Eddine Said & Fiona Bell  in conversation

What does it mean to truly put community at the heart of an arts organisation? In this compelling conversation with Saad and Fiona, we will delve into the power of listening, collaboration, and shared ownership shape not just projects, but purpose of an organisation. For anyone committed to meaningful cultural work, this is a conversation about leadership that listens, responds, and belongs to the many—not just the few!

10:30 - 10:45 - Comfort Break

•        10:45 - 11:00 – Insights from Annabel Turpin

Annabel Turpin is Chief Executive of Storyhouse in Chester, one of the country’s largest arts centres, incorporating theatres, a cinema and the city’s library, and welcoming more than 800,000 visitors a year. She is also Co-Director of the 170-strong, Future Arts Centres national network, championing the role of arts centres in driving social, economic and cultural change. In December 2023, she was appointed as North Area Council Chair and National Council member of Arts Council England.

•        11:00 - 11:30 - Turning Insight into Action — Annabel Turpin & Olwen Dawe

How can organisations stay agile, adaptive, and aligned with the people they serve? In this insightful conversation, Annabel & Olwen will discuss their insights on practical strategies for driving meaningful change—from reading the data behind the numbers to truly listening to your audience.

•        11:30 - 12:00 –What does it feel like to be starting out?
  As part of the morning, we want to consider what it feels like to be an emerging professional trying to establish yourself in today’s cultural landscape. Without fresh ideas and new talent, we risk losing out on a wealth of creative potential. But how well is the sector, its governance structures, and funders, supporting this next generation? Do emerging companies feel pressure to mirror the models of more established organisations - and if not, what alternative approaches might they imagine instead?

•        12:00 -12:15 – Q&A open to all speakers
  
  
•        12:15-12:20 - A&B NI Closing
  
  
•        12:30 - 1pm - Networking for in person attendees/ Online session ends

About the speakers and panellists: 

Saad Eddine Said (He/Him)
Saad Eddine Said is a strategic cultural leader reimagining institutional leadership and governance by building bold partnerships between communities, creatives, and cultural institutions.
He is CEO and Artistic Director of New Art Exchange, where he led the organisation to become the first in the world to embed a permanent Citizen Assembly within its leadership.
Saad is also Co-Founder of Citizens in Power and Co-Chair of Contemporary Visual Arts Network England.

Annabel Turpin is Chief Executive of Storyhouse in Chester, one of the country’s largest arts centres, incorporating theatres, a cinema and the city’s library, and welcoming more than 800,000 visitors a year. She is also Co-Director of the 170-strong, Future Arts Centres national network, championing the role of arts centres in driving social, economic and cultural change. In December 2023, she was appointed as North Area Council Chair and National Council member of Arts Council England.

Olwen Dawe is a leading Policy Analyst and Consultant, with an established track record in developing and implementing equality, diversity and inclusion projects.
She is an Associate Consultant of the Institute of Public Administration, and guest lectures on their Professional Diploma in Human Rights and Equality.  Olwen holds a BA (Hons) in Industrial Relations, a Postgraduate Diploma in Economic Science, Public Policy Analysis, an MEconScience in Public Policy Analysis and a Professional Certificate in Governance.  Olwen was Project Advisor for the Speak Up: A Call for Change report, and continues to advise the Safe to Create project.  
Olwen is a former Board member of Women's Aid and the National Women’s Council (NWC), and has also served on the Boards of the Lyric Theatre (Belfast), Poetry Ireland and CoisCéim Dance Theatre, and as Chair of the Policy Committee of the National Campaign for the Arts (NCFA), she currently serves on the Board of the Centre for Cross Border Cooperation. 

About the venue:

The Duncairn Arts Centre is based in North Belfast and provides a wide range of arts, culture and entertainment events for everyone to enjoy. As a vibrant, creative hub, it is an important space for the local community and an integral member of the wider arts network across Belfast and beyond.

live music — The Duncairn