The law firm’s Northern Ireland office is a sponsor of A&B NI’s boardroom leadership programme, which brings together individuals of all ages, abilities and backgrounds who are interested in developing their leadership skills by volunteering on the board of a local arts or cultural organisation.

This year the A&B NI Leaders on Arts Boards programme has attracted participants from a diverse range of disciplines including finance, HR, legal and marketing.

Over the next few months, they’ll be taking part in a package of training and development sessions, delivered in part by A&L Goodbody, which are designed to provide the knowledge and tools needed to succeed in the boardroom.

Participants will then be placed on the board of an arts organisation, where they can apply their skills in a new creative environment and help make real change.

Maeve McKervey, head of business at Arts & Business NI, said: “A&L Goodbody are fantastic advocates for the creative sector in Northern Ireland and long-standing Arts & Business NI members, we are delighted that they are partnering on our Leaders on Arts Boards programme.

“It’s such a privilege to watch our fantastic participants grow in confidence, develop their boardroom skills, and go on to do brilliant things as trustees for the creative sector.”

Aisling Byrne, partner at A&L Goodbody, said: “A&L Goodbody is proud to be supporting the Arts & Business NI Leaders on Arts Board programme, and what we see as an exceptionally important initiative in securing the future pipeline of talent coming onto boards in Northern Ireland.

“As legal advisers to both international and indigenous firms of all sizes and across all sectors in Northern Ireland, we see every day the critical role non-executive directors and trustees play not only in the governance of an organisation, but in its long-term vision, strategy and growth.

“We very much look forward to working alongside the Leaders on Arts Boards participants and supporting their journey towards their new roles as board members.”