The Model is committed to the governance and transparency requirements as outlined by the Arts Council of Ireland These requirements are encompassed in the Charities Regulator’s Governance Code at (https://www.charitiesregulator.ie/media/1609/charities-governance-code.pdf).
The Model is also fully committed to comply with the principles of good fundraising standards as promulgated by the Charities Regulator in the Guidelines for Charitable Organisations Fundraising, (https://www.charitiesregulator.ie/media/1083/guidance-for-fundraising-english.pdf).
To read a copy of our audited accounts for 2023 click here
To access The Model’s Constitution click here
To read The Model Strategic Management Plan 2024–2028 click here
Board of Directors
Dr. Bláithín Gallagher (Chairperson)
Mr. Damien Tansey
Mr. Jim Molloy
Ms. Ana Leddy
Ms. Mabel Chah
Ms. Phil Shovlin
Mr. Colm Ryan
Mr. Des Power
Ms. Geraldine O’Neill
Cllr. Declan Bree
Cllr. Liam Brennan
Cllr. Fergal Nealon
Cllr. Arthur Gibbons
Company Secretary / Financial Officer:
Mr. Noel McCrumlish
Dr. Bláithín Gallagher (Chairperson)
Dr. Bláithín Gallagher is a passionately motivated social scientist with a strong interest in equality, ageing, disability and gender. She has many years’ experience in research and management, both in the academic and not for profit sector, and has been the recipient of a number of prestigious, highly sought after fellowships (HRB & Marie Curie).
Dr. Gallagher has a strong track record in managing successful projects, from sourcing funding to delivery; and has experience of both strategic planning and implementation on a national and international level. Dr. Gallagher has keen interest in contemporary visual art, film, photography, creative writing and music. She has been editor of the Leitrim Guardian journal since 2010, an annual snapshot of life and culture in County Leitrim, first published in 1968.
Bláithín was appointed to The Model Board in 2016.
Ms. Ana Leddy
A former Head of RTÉ Radio 1 - Ireland's national public service broadcaster, former Managing Editor of BBC Radio Foyle and Producer for BBC Radio 4 - and currently a producer with RTÉ Radio 1.
Ana was appointed to The Model Board in 2017.
Ms. Mabel Chah
Cameroonian born, Mabel Chah moved to Sligo in 2013 through the asylum system and quickly integrated into the Sligo community through its arts and culture. Co-set up the IFWG award-winning Sligo Global Kitchen in 2015. Governing Body Award Winner for highest score achieved in the Bachelor of Business Administration Degree program at The Sligo Institute of Technology. She is the recipient of the Sligo County Council Cathaoirleach awards in 2017 for Arts and Culture Individual. Currently Completing in Master of Science Degree in Human Resource Management at The Queen’s University in Belfast.
Mabel joined The Model’s Board of Directors in 2021.
Mr. Damien Tansey
Damien is a solicitor with a national reputation. He founded the firm Damien Tansey & Associates in 1980. He specialises in litigation in all its forms, and has been involved in many landmark court decisions over more than 35 years of practice.
Damien was appointed to The Model Board in 2014.
Mr. Jim Molloy
Jim was appointed as Director of Services with responsibility for Housing and Corporate Services for Sligo County Council in July 2021. He qualified as a Civil Engineer from Trinity College Dublin in 1997 and entered the Local Government sector in 1999 where he has worked for both Cork City and County Councils, as well as for Galway City Council. Originally from Armagh, he now resides in Sligo.
Jim was appointed to the Model Board in 2021.
Ms. Phil Shovlin
Phil has returned to live in Sligo town. She brings with her experience from the front-line, management and leadership roles across public, private and voluntary health services. She has also held non-executive director appointments on voluntary and commercial boards.
Phil was appointed to The Model Board in 2022.
Mr. Colm Ryan
Colm Ryan is a finance professional based in Dublin. Over a 30 year career he has held leadership positions at Goldman Sachs, Royal Bank of Scotland and most recently Goodbody, leading its fixed income business. Colm is passionate about the arts and has previously been a board member at Dance Ireland. He brings a diverse financial skill set to the Model board. Colm studied accountancy at the now ATU in Sligo and also holds an LLB.
Colm was appointed to The Model Board in 2023.
Mr. Des Power
Des Power was born curious and that curiosity along with a talent for leadership has been a driving force in an executive career marked by innovation, growth and talent development. Des held senior executive positions with Philips, Harman, Fitbit and Google. His global leadership journey took him to Eindhoven, Knoxville, Atlanta, Amsterdam, Shenzhen, Dublin and finally home to Strandhill.
Des graduated in 2024 from INSEAD Business School with a certificate in Corporate Governance (IDP-C). Today he serves on the Boards of Enterprise Ireland, The Model and Teac Damsa. Previously, he served on boards of Fitbit International and Hawk’s Well Theatre.
Des was appointed to The Model Board in October 2024.
Cllr. Declan Bree
Councillor Declan Bree, has an outstanding record in both local and national politics as a campaigning voice for social justice.
He was first elected to Sligo County Council in 1974 and has retained his seat at each subsequent election, topping the poll in the most recent Local Election (May 2024).
He was also a member of Sligo Corporation (Sligo Borough Council) from 1974 until it and other town councils were abolished by central government in 2014.
He is the current Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council. He served as Mayor of Sligo in 2004 and as Mayor of the Sligo Municipal District in 2024. He also served as Chair of Sligo County Council in 1986.
He has served at many levels in local, regional and national politics, including membership of the Northern & Western Regional Assembly and the Regional Health Forum West. He served as a Dail Deputy for Sligo/Leitrim from 1992 to 1997.
A member of Ireland’s radical socialist youth organisation the Connolly Youth Movement in the late 1960’s and early 70’s, he went on to become National Chairperson of the movement. A founder and former Chairperson and General Secretary of the Sligo/Leitrim Independent Socialist Organisation he has been a lifelong political activist campaigning on issues stretching from the campaign against the war in Vietnam and the movement for Civil Rights in Northern Ireland to the current Palestine Solidarity campaign.
He was the Sligo/Leitrim Campaign Director in both Divorce referendum campaigns and he was a lifelong member of the Irish Anti-Apartheid Movement. He continues to actively support the international campaign of solidarity with Palestine and with the Republic of Cuba.
He is the President of the Connolly Forum (Sligo) and Chairperson of People First. He is Secretary of the Gralton Labour History Committee (Leitrim). He is a patron of the People’s Movement – Gluaiseacht an Phobail.
He is a member of SIPTU and the Unite Trade Union and is a former member of the Western branch Committee of the Federated Workers Union of Ireland.
Involved in numerous voluntary and cultural organisations over the years he is a founder member of the Sligo Town branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann and is a former Secretary of the Sligo County Board of Comhaltas.
He was a founding member of the Board of Directors of the Hawk's Well Theatre and served a number of terms as a member of the Board of the theatre. He also served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Model in the past.
Declan was appointed to The Model Board in December 2024.
Cllr. Fergal Nealon
Councillor Fergal Nealon is an experienced business leader with a strong background in business development and strategic management, bringing with him expertise across multiple sectors. He holds postgraduate qualification in Technology commercialisation and Entrepreneurship, which enhances his analytical and strategic capabilities.
In his role as a board member at the Model Arts Centre Sligo, Fergal applies his strategic vision to support the organisation's mission of fostering artistic expression and community engagement. His professional experience equips him with the skills needed to navigate the complexities of the creative sector while promoting initiatives that are beneficial to both artists and the community.
Fergal is committed to driving positive outcomes through collaboration and innovative thinking. Outside of his professional responsibilities, in his role on the local Council, he actively engages with various cultural initiatives, recognising the role of the arts in community development and cohesion.
With a focus on integrating business acumen with creative potential, Fergal is dedicated to contributing to the ongoing success of the Model Arts Centre Sligo.
Fergal was appointed to The Model Board in October 2024.