Shona McCarthy

Shona McCarthy has an extensive and diverse work experience in the arts and cultural sector. Shona most recently served as the Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society since 2016. Prior to that, they held the roles of Chair at WALK THE PLANK and Oh Yeah Music Centre Ltd. In 2014, they established their own consulting company, Shona McCarthy Consulting, and served as Director until 2017. From 2011 to 2014, they were the Chief Executive of Culture Company 2013, responsible for delivering the UK City of Culture year in Derry~Londonderry. Before that, they were the Director of British Council Northern Ireland. Shona also co-founded Rubyblue Ltd, a consultancy company specialized in the cultural sector. In their early career, they served as Chief Executive of Imagine Belfast 2008, leading the bid for Belfast to be European Capital of Culture, and as Chief Executive of Cinemagic, Northern Ireland's International Film Festival for Young People. Shona also served as Director of Foyle Film Festival.

Shona McCarthy obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Film/Media Studies/English Literature from the University of Ulster Coleraine in the period of 1986-1989. Shona later became an Honorary Fellow at the University of Surrey, the Marketing Society of Scotland, and a Visiting Professor at Edinburgh Napier University, starting in 2020, 2018, and 2016 respectively.