Countryside Careers

Martin Barrett

+353 (0)86 2483735 | barrettmartin63@gmail.com

Over 25 years of successfully creating and delivering ambitious and transformative visions in education, culture, tourism and entertainment in the commercial and non-for-profit sectors.

In the culture, arts and entertainment sectors, strategically delivering a range of world class products in uncharted waters. As Director of Special Events for Cork European Capital of Culture celebrations, consistently overcoming challenges to deliver an outstanding €10 million programme of spectacles and events under pressurised and sometimes apparently unsurmountable obstacles.

Successfully bridging the gap between EU and private sector funders (and the financial resources they can provide) and the projects in need of support - overcoming a wide gulf between vision and reality.

Achieved outstanding results in challenging circumstances through strategically leading complex dialogue across the government/business spectrum as Executive Producer/Artistic Director-  

‘Northern Odyssey’, a unique cultural millennium statement in the history of Northern Ireland commissioned by the Northern Ireland Assembly. Nurtured a cast of 10,000 voluntary and community participants.

An outside the box strategist - identifying a funeral undertaker with a passion for opera as the main sponsor of an Andrea Bocelli Gala Concert. 

In Education, transforming the lives of young people and school communities by creating exciting performing arts departments and becoming an inspiring teacher of teachers in a variety of University and Educational Support Services; influencing an entire generation of educators.

Successfully overseeing a complex portfolio of organisational and financial affairs with probity, governance and strategy for a government’s national educational service.

Creatively addressing many different, often competing or conflicting agendas to transform challenges into opportunities while working closely with all reporting boards and colleagues.  

I believe the ‘impossible’ can be made possible.

Executive Summary

o    20+ years of senior leadership experience in the education, culture, arts and entertainment sectors in the public and private sectors.

o    Spearheaded and led complex change and transformative programmes, restructuring business functions and systems

o    Senior Management role in  €13 million budget for an Educational Support Service

o    Influenced funding and sponsorship strategy to secure €4 million for an internationally acclaimed Capital of Culture programme

o    Envisaged and delivered on budget a yearlong events programme (11 events, 2,500 staff, €10 million budget)

o    Recruited and successfully managed teams from 60 to 2500

o    Led a marketing strategy for tertiary school of education, growing numbers +35%

o    Grew funding for an educational support service by €5 million by leading a business evaluation process and the creation of business cases to stakeholders.

o    Senior role in the development and implementation of inspiring, ambitious and internationally acclaimed Continuing Professional Development programs for Senior Educational Leaders and Teachers   at primary and post primary in Ireland.

o    Guest Speaker at international events including the EU- Japan Fest (Tokyo).