Kerrie Sweeney MBE

Kerrie joined the Maritime Belfast Trust in March 2013 and has over twenty years’ experience of working in the tourism sector. This includes ten years between Belfast City Council and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, where she was a member of the team that put together the plans for the Titanic Signature Project. Kerrie was awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours list, for her exceptional contributions to maritime heritage and the tourism industry in Northern Ireland.

Kerrie works with the Board of Trustees to implement and review Maritime Belfast’s vision, mission and strategic plan, and is also responsible for:

• Managing the operator contract with Titanic Belfast Limited, and overseeing the development and management of Maritime Belfast’s assets;
• Leading and developing partnership relationships with the company’s stakeholders including commercial and public sector interests as well as productive relationships with local communities in Belfast, Civic Leaders and Government;
• Developing and implementing multi-disciplinary projects and funding applications that will promote the vision of Maritime Belfast.

Since joining Maritime Belfast, Kerrie has led a series of key successes: the award of a £5million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund’s Enterprise Programme towards the Drawing Offices, to restore them and develop the building into a four star boutique hotel; the acquisition of Titanic’s little sister the SS Nomadic; and the relocation and restoration of the Great Light.

Maritime Belfast’s current focus is the development of the Maritime Mile, an exciting Blueway for the city, representing one navigational mile of water and 10 kilometres of accessible, connected waterfront.