Bord Scannán na hÉireann / the Irish Film Board Announces New Structure
Bord Scannán na hÉireann / the Irish Film Board today announced two changes to the organisational structure of the Agency. The existing positions of Head of Production and Development and Head of Marketing will not be continued. In future, the CEO will also act as Head of Production and Development and the marketing department would concentrate its efforts more on attracting inward production with other marketing requirements being outsourced as and when needed.
These changes will allow more resources to be deployed directly to project development and project investment, particularly in the increasingly complex legal and accounting aspects of the Irish Film Board’s production investments.
Irish Film Board Chairman James Morris commented, “We are in the process of recruiting a new CEO and we see this person we see this person being more hands on, more an ‘editor in chief’ for the Board. The Agency has a total staff of 16 and the purpose of this change is to have a flatter structure with more resources available for dealing directly with clients. This change will also allow us to give greater definition and back up to our efforts to attract inward production in what is an increasingly competitive international market. An increasing number of countries now have very competitive tax breaks and we need to work hard to differentiate Ireland and sell our competitive advantages."
The changes will come into effect when the contracts for the Head of Production and Development, Brendan McCarthy, and the Head of Marketing, Moira Horgan, expire later this year. On behalf of all the Members of the Board, the Chairman said: “We recognise the enormous contribution of both Brendan and Moira to the work of the Board. Although it is our view that the CEO should assume the role of Head of Production and Development, Brendan has fulfilled this demanding role with professionalism, creative flair, and commitment. Moira’s tremendous experience and knowledge will be greatly missed by the Board in the marketing and promotion not only of the Board’s films and projects but in all aspects of the Board’s profile and communication.”