Irish Heritage announces new Management Committee

As a result of the award of registered charity status by the Charity Commission in May 2020, Irish Heritage has had to change its administration structure.

The guidance from the Commission is clear: a Board of Trustees is responsible for ensuring that the charity fulfills its obligations under charities and related legislation, in particular with regard to governance, and should not be responsible for the day-to-day operation of a charity. The latter should be in the hands of a capable management committee of volunteers with relevant expertise.

At a Board of Trustees meeting of Irish Heritage on the 8th April 2021 a resolution was passed setting up a new Management Committee that will be responsible for the day-to-day operation of the charity’s activities with effect from 1st May 2021.

The Management Committee will be responsible for the delivery of Irish Heritage’s purpose through its four programmes: education including bursaries; events including concerts and recitals; collaborations with like-minded partner organisations, and outreach and community activity.

The first Chairman of the new Committee is Jim Kirby, a long term Friend and supporter of Irish Heritage, who brings extensive management experience, music knowledge and community contact to the role. He will be supported by a team of volunteers with expertise in the performing arts, event management, marketing and communications, digital marketing and social media, fundraising, information technology and community contacts.

The Board has appointed Audrey McKenna as Artistic Director – Ireland, Ms McKenna has been acting as Artistic Adviser for the past three and a half years and will support the new Committee.

The current Board of Trustees will continue to serve the charity and will augment its membership with people with relevant expertise over coming months.

Announcing the change of structure, Patrick Lennon, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Irish Heritage said, “Achieving registered charity status was an important milestone in the development of Irish Heritage. Adapting to the requirements of that change has taken a little longer than expected because of the pandemic.

“We’re confident that the new Management Committee under the experienced leadership of Jim Kirby will take Irish Heritage forward to continue to fulfill its purpose. Jim and the team of volunteers will undertake their new role with the enthusiastic support of the Board of Trustees.”