Governance Code:
The Board confirm we are fully compliant with all the requirements of the Companies Act 2014 as well as those of The Charities Regulatory Authority.
The board of directors and executive continue to adopt best governance practice as set out in the voluntary Governance Code. We adhere to the principles of clarity, good governance, Value for Money and Fairness detailed in Appendix 2 of DPER Circular 13/2014. The board is aware that the Charities Regulator has a new Governance Code out that all charities have to comply with in 2020 and report on by 2021.
As Directors, we affirm that Carlow Arts Festival endeavours to deliver value for money in the use of its funding and in a manner that maximises effectiveness and outcomes in the use of public funds. In addition, it is the intention of the board of directors and the executive to always co-operate with the Arts Council in the achievement of value of public money.
The festival has a rigorous financial procedure detailed below. Accounts are audited annually.
A reserves policy was agreed at the last AGM to allow CAF to plan effectively, to ensure that all commitments can be met and to allow the continued development of the festival.
A strategic planning process in 2017 developed a clear roadmap for the period 2018-20. This has also had the effect of creating actions and timelines for the delivery of change through the organisation including performance monitoring.
It is a priority of the board that the agreed strategic objectives of the organisation underpin the artistic direction of CAF and ensure continuity of this vision in succession planning for the Executive.
Board Members:
Niamh Lunny – Chairperson -08/2019
Niamh joined the board in August 2019. She previously served on the Board of the Abbey Theatre for 4 years and was a member of the Gender Equality sub-committee. She worked as the head of costume in the Abbey for 11 years, where she started a successful hire business. Outside of this she has worked extensively as a freelance designer. She was the recipient of the Clore Leadership Scholarship in 2018/19 and is now working as a producer on the Púca Festival.
Edward Cahill – Chairperson – 08/2015
Ed joined the board in 2015. Ed’s background is in community and international development along with management and event planning. He currently runs Tully’s Bar Carlow and Tully’s Bar Waterford.
Chris Chapman-Director-07/2014
Chris joined the board in July of 2014, his main focus being strategic development. His background is in community development and has worked in the fields of Social Care, Education, and Sustainability.
Suzanne Morrissey Forde-Director -07/2017
Suzanne Joined the Board of CAF in July 2017. Suzanne’s background is in finance and she also has some knowledge of HR. She has been employed as a Financial Accountant for over 20 years, and employed by Charitable Organisations for the last 9 years.
Fintan Phlean-Director-09/2019
Fintan joined the board in September 2019; he is an elected member of Carlow County Council and served as Mayor of Carlow from 2016/17. He has a first class honours degree in Economics Politics and Law from Dublin City University.
Emma Martin-Director- 08/2017
Emma is a choreographer and director, and her company is United Fall. She joined the Carlow Arts Festival board in 2017