Colman Farrell Appointed Head of Skills and Professional Development at Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland
Posted: 24th July 2023
Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland is pleased to announce the appointment of Colman Farrell to the position of Head of Skills and Professional Development. Colman is an award-winning social entrepreneur and education innovator focused on re-imagining higher education with over three decades of experience.
Colman’s most recent role was as Head of Programme Development at the Innovation Academy, University College Development (UCD). During his time at the Innovation Academy, he co-pioneered the Professional Diploma in Creativity and Innovation for Educators and led a diverse team of Entrepreneurial Specialists, from both business and social sector backgrounds, in the design and delivery of a suite of programmes on Creativity, Innovation, Leadership, Sustainability and Entrepreneurial Thinking & Action.
Colman has also delivered programmes for Universities and Governments in Malaysia, Switzerland and Vietnam. In Vietnam, with support from the Irish Embassy, the Innovation Academy is partnered with the Vietnamese National University network, to help faculty introduce a more active learning approach to their teaching with an emphasis on creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship.
Previously, Colman was the co-founder of the School for Social Entrepreneurs Ireland and co-founder and CEO of Suas, an award-winning Irish education-focused non-profit, supporting programmes in Ireland, India and Kenya. Colman is an awardee of Social Entrepreneurs Ireland, the US State Department’s International Visitors Leadership Programme and the Arthur Guinness Fund. In 2020, he was awarded the Medal for the Development Cause of VNU in honour of his work with the University.
Commenting on the appointment, Screen Ireland Chief Executive Désirée Finnegan said:
“Colman’s wealth of knowledge and experience in education innovation and in pioneering new approaches to delivering diverse learning programmes will greatly benefit the Irish screen industry. Our skills development team is focused on assessing and addressing the skills needs across the industry in a wide range of areas, and it requires an innovative, creative approach to deliver ongoing learning and continuous professional development. We’re delighted to welcome Colman to the agency and looking forward to working with him.”
Commenting on the new role, Colman Farrell said:
“I am excited to be joining the creative screen industry at such a pivotal time and I am enthused by the creativity, capability and commitment of those working in the sector. At its heart, my work in education and social entrepreneurship has always been about story - helping people to find their voice, to follow their path and to co-create a better story for themselves, their communities and the people they serve. It seems timely to join a community that places the power of story at its heart and places its faith in the power of creativity. I look forward to leading Screen Ireland’s skills team in developing innovative approaches that help shape a flourishing, inclusive and sustainable creative ecosystem.”
Colman will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the Screen Ireland Skills department, working across the strategic development of skills within the Irish screen industry, and reporting to the Director of Industry and Corporate Affairs. The role will also address key linkages between professional training and third-level education and work closely with the Screen Skills Subcommittee to build on the recently published ‘Skills Challenge’ report to lead and develop a training strategy and other report recommendations.
Colman Farrell will take up the new role with immediate effect.