Jo McLean

Director

Jo McLean has been a leader in the Creative sector for over 10 years and brings a wealth of experience developing and supporting organisational growth and sustainability. Prior to her leadership role at The Iris Initiative, Jo held positions as Exec Director of Clod Ensemble (London), and CEO of The Touring Network (Highlands and Islands) as well as being one of the UK representatives for the European arts network INSITU. Her work as a consultant has seen her lead organisations through review processes as well as working directly with artists to produce large and small scale events. In 2019 she completed a Saltire Fellowship in the US and Scotland where the focus was on entrepreneurship. Previously a professional orchestral musician, Jo has toured nationally and internationally with world class orchestras including the Halle Orchestra, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Opera North and Scottish Opera.

Outside of her role at the Iris Initiative, Jo Is currently Chair of CHARTs, a Director of Tourbook CIC and has been newly appointed onto the Advisory Group for the Leeds Centre for Cultural Value.
Jo values the importance of understanding and facilitating how people relate well to each other and recently became a registered 4 seasons practitioner.

Jo is married with 4 children and lives between Scotland and London.

Morgen Thomson

Web Content Assistant

Morgen is The John Byrne Award’s web content assistant. She graduated in 2017 with an Executive PA diploma with distinction, from The Oxford Media and Business School. Morgen has worked as a front of house receptionist for a leading energy trading company in London. Her interests include travelling and languages, and she is fluent in Spanish.

Get in touch with Morgen below!

Azza Hassan

Project Development Assistant

Azza graduated from the University of Dundee with a degree in law. Since then, she has been running a small fashion business inspired by her heritage. In her spare time, she enjoys doing yoga and being out in nature.