Katy Egan-Daynes

Job Role: Programme Manager of Factory Academy, Factory International

Description: I work with the fantastic Factory Academy Team to develop and manage free courses for people who want to work in creative roles. I manage specific courses and spend time looking for opportunities for Factory Academy to expand its offer and work with different organisations to make new opportunities.

Areas of Knowledge:

- Project Management

- Education/Facilitation

- Working with young people

- Identifying transferable skills

- Being a working parent

- Lived experience of neurodiversity, mental illness and chronic health conditions.

Paddy Nicholls

Job Role: Neighbourhood Organiser at Factory International, Freelance Workshop Leader, Event Host and Writer-Director (Film & Theatre)

Description: Working within North Manchester connecting with a diverse range of community organisations, particularly focusing on raising awareness and participation of FI’s development, creative learning and Academy programmes, and the growth of artistic representation and development from people and organisations in the area. Writer-Director of Short Films and Theatre, as well as Workshop Leader for Mental Health & the Arts.

Areas of Knowledge:

- A lot of experience discussing mental health, my own neurodiversity and my experience dealing with those while navigating a career in the arts, having been in the mental health system since I was 16 years old (I'm 32 now). Very confident in talking things through with anyone, but won't offer unsolicited advice.

- Writing for Film, Theatre and Spoken Word, as well as areas of Filmmaking.

- Working in the TV/Film Industries (primarily worked in TV & Film before F.I at companies like BBC News, Metrodome and on projects with the BFI).

- Community work and my experience of the arts in Manchester.

Rosemary Millbank

Job Role: Executive Support Manager at Factory International

Description: My job is all about making sure people have the information, processes and time to do the things they need to do. I do this on a one to one basis for our Executive Director, Sheena, which includes making the most of her time and energy by streamlining communications to her, looking after some admin and projects on her behalf, and keeping track of longer running projects. Other parts of my job are around creating consistency - clear processes for doing things, such as creating regular updates between teams to help everyone stay up to date with what’s going on.

Areas of Knowledge:

I’m good at breaking down a challenge into smaller bites or stages, and working out what’s needed to tackle each bit. This can include things like managing time, prioritisation and creating systems to stay on top of your to do lists. I’m a trained coach and able to support people work out problems for themselves, which can be much more interesting than just being told the answer! I’ve worked hard to understand my support needs as a disabled person and advocate for adjustments for myself, and have some experience supporting others through this.

Low Kee Hong

Job Role: Creative Director at Factory International

Kee Hong oversees the Curatorial team at Factory International and alongside John McGrath, the organisation’s Artistic Director & Chief Executive, develops the artistic programme for Factory International and leads on the programme for Manchester International Festival 2025 onwards. 

Kee Hong oversees the Public Engagement team, leading transformative programs that connect with communities and organizations across Greater Manchester and the North. This includes Artist Development, supporting local talent to reach international audiences, and managing Factory Academy, which offers training for careers in the arts and creative industries, particularly for those facing economic and cultural barriers. Kee Hong also manages the International department, collaborating with global cultural organisations, whose financial and creative input helps to make MIF and Factory International projects possible, and helps to ensure that projects made in Manchester are seen worldwide.

John McGrath

Job Role: Artistic Director and Chief Executive of Factory International

Before opening Aviva Studios in October 2023, John curated four editions of Manchester International Festival, featuring new work by an international range of artists including Yoko Ono, Philip Glass, Skepta, Ibrahim Mahama, Tania Bruguera and many more. 

Prior to this role, John was the founding Artistic Director of National Theatre Wales, where he directed work including The Radicalisation of Bradley Manning, and produced shows such as The Passion of Port Talbot and Coroilan/us. He has also led Manchester’s Contact Theatre, and was Associate Director at Mabou Mines in New York. He has a PhD from New York University and an honorary doctorate from the Open University, and has published widely in the field of cultural theory.