The Chief Executives' Club at Queen's presents 'The importance of shared spaces: our common need for nature, beauty and history' which will be given by Hilary McGrady, Director-General of the National Trust.

The event will be held in-person at Riddel Hall, Belfast on Wednesday 4th May at 5.30pm until 7.00pm.

About our Speaker

Hilary became Director-General of the National Trust in 2018. She's worked for the Trust since 2006 since joining as regional director for Northern Ireland. Hilary later became regional director for Wales and the London and South East region and in 2014 was appointed chief operating officer, leading the operations and consultancy teams.

Born in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, Hilary studied Graphic Design at arts college. Her career path started in the drinks industry in brand and marketing, including as a Brand Manager at Diageo. In 1998 she moved to become director of Arts and Business, a national arts charity and was seconded in 2002 to become CEO of Belfast’s bid to become European Capital of Culture.

The Lecture

‘We all need space; unless we have it we cannot reach that sense of quiet in which whispers of better things come to us gently... we all want quiet; we all want beauty for the refreshment of our souls.’

Octavia Hill, who co-founded the National Trust in 1895, talked about the universal need for access to nature and to beauty, and she fought to protect and create access to green spaces across the country.

127 years on since the National Trust’s founding, it’s clear that that need for space is as strong as ever. It’s true for access to nature, but there’s also a need for common spaces where we can come together culturally, as recent discussion on history and identity have shown.

Hilary McGrady, Director-General of the National Trust will reflect on how we can respond to those needs, the practical work that the Trust is doing in this space, and her experience of finding and creating shared spaces growing up and working in Northern Ireland.