The Value of Arts Board Service: A Conversation with former Business to Arts Board Members

For Charity Trustee’s Week we caught up with two of our most valued former board members, Jeanne Kelly, Founding Partner at Browne Jacobson, and Ger McNaughton, Creative Director, TileStyle to find out more about their key learnings from their time on the BtoA board.

Ger McNaughton served as a board member of Business to Arts from 2009 - 2024. He also served as chair for five years. Ger is Creative Director and an owner of TileStyle, one of Ireland’s leading homeware brands. TileStyle has been committed supporter of the arts in Ireland for over 30 years, including the annual Jim McNaughton / TileStyle €10,000 Artists’ Bursary and the Jim McNaughton/TileStyle Perpetual Award for Best Commissioning Practice.

Jeanne Kelly served as a board member of Business to Arts for nine years, stepping down in 2024. Jeanne has over 25 years’ experience including leading a commercial tech practice where she advised private and public sector clients on technology, intellectual property and data privacy law. A former President of the British Irish Chamber, Jeanne was recently named on the Business Post’s ‘Legal 100’, and was honoured as the ‘Corporate Leader of the Year’ at the Irish Women’s Awards 2020. She is also an experienced media commentator on legal issues.

Below is an edited version of the conversation.

Thank you both for joining us to discuss your experiences on the Business to Arts board. To start, could you each tell us what initially motivated you to join?

JK: Business to Arts was an organisation I’d admired for a long time because of its unique position between the business and arts communities. When I had the chance to join the board, I really jumped at it and ended up serving for nine years. It was a tremendous experience, working alongside a stellar management team and committed board members. I learned a lot and hope I contributed meaningfully as well.

GMcN: For me, there was already a strong connection, as my company had been a patron and founding member. I was actually the third person from our team to join the board, so it was an honour to carry on that legacy. Business to Arts’ mission aligns so closely with our values, so it was a natural fit.

Looking back on your time, what personal achievements or contributions are you most proud of?

JK: I’m especially proud of the work we did to encourage professional services firms to lean into the arts. This involvement not only adds beauty to workplaces but also provides a creative perspective for employees. A personal highlight was the "Women on Walls" project, which celebrated women trailblazers in STEM by creating portraits which joined the walls of academic institutions typically dominated by men. I remembered a younger me at a job interview where the waiting room was a giant wall of portraits only portraying male leaders of that institution and how strange and dated that seemed even then.

To see the families and descendants of those women represented in the portraits, happily snapping selfies to send other family members about the art, was terrific

GMcN: There’s so much I’m proud of, though it’s not necessarily what I did myself. It was more about the work the organisation did and the privilege of playing a part in that process. One standout was "Fund it," a platform that made a real impact over the years. "New Stream" was another, helping organisations navigate the financial side of creativity. And personally, awarding €160,000 in bursaries during my time on the board was very gratifying. Serving as chair was also an honour, guiding the organisation in a positive direction alongside an incredible team.

It sounds like collaboration has been a big part of your experience. Could you share some lessons you’ve learned from working together on the board?

JK: One of the biggest lessons for me was recognising the wisdom in the room. There’s always someone with knowledge (or someone they know) who can help when issues seem difficult. The wisdom of others is real, and generously given, if you stop to ask.

GMcN: I’d say my biggest takeaway is that we’re “better together.” The strength of collaboration is real—mutually beneficial partnerships between businesses and the arts enrich both parties. I saw so many examples of artists and businesses learning from each other. It really affirmed the value of creativity in any workplace.

What changes have you seen in private sector arts investment over your time on the board?

JK: I’ve noticed a shift in mindset—from arts investment being “nice to do” to it being “necessary.” There were challenging economic times during my tenure, but it was inspiring to see people’s resilience and creativity in maintaining arts support.

GMcN: Definitely. There’s also a greater depth and interest in outcomes now. We’ve seen more innovative partnerships that reflect this, with a rise in collaborations across fields like science and technology. Concepts like STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) are now on everyone’s radar in a way they weren’t before.

What advice would you give to someone considering joining an arts board?

JK: It’s rewarding, worthwhile, and you’ll learn so much. Serving on an arts board can even enhance your “day job”. I certainly know more about corporate governance, complex corporate structures, donation conditions and State arts support mechanisms than I ever would before. And if you come from an underrepresented demographic, please consider it! More diverse boards make for better decision-making. I was honestly sad when my term ended!

GMcN: I couldn’t agree more. I’d say, “Do it! You won’t regret it.” Joining a board like Business to Arts is eye-opening, educational, and joyful. There’s so much you don’t know until you try. Clear your calendar—you’re about to discover a whole new world!