MARIE DUFFY FOUNDATION - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of an Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha
Job Titles:
- Executive Producer
- Trustee
With a paternal grandmother from Cork, Eben Foggitt has strong links with Ireland and has spent much time there carrying out research for a recent TV documentary on castle ghosts which is to be followed by a series on Irish myths, legends and fables.
After five years in general practice at the Bar in London, Eben joined the Video Arts group of Companies as Head of Contracts and Business Affairs Manager. During an illustrious career spanning more than two decades, Eben has been on numerous committees within the film and television industries.
In 1987 he was appointed by the BBC to negotiate and co-write the BBC's Terms of Trade with the Independent Sector. In 1988 he was invited by the BBC to head the new Independents Planning Unit at Television Centre. In 1989 he was offered the post of Head of Business Affairs, Drama Group by the BBC. In 1992 he established Eben Foggitt Associates, providing legal and business affairs advice and representation to the independent sector for both film and television.
In 1994 Eben co-founded Ardent Productions with HRH Prince Edward. He was appointed Joint Managing Director and Executive Producer. In 1999 Eben left Ardent and since then has acted as a legal/business affairs advisor and executive producer to a number of Independent Production Companies. He also formally re-established Eben Foggitt Associates in Poole, Dorset.
As Executive Producer, Eben's credits include: The Cater Street Hangman for ITV; Annie's Bar for Channel 4; The Search for the Silver Arrow for BBC1; Windsor Restored for ITV; Edward on Edward for ITV; Castle Ghosts of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland; Tales from the Black Museum and Tales from the Tower for the Learning Channel; Crown and Country for ITV; World Cup Polo - the Veuve Cliquot Gold Cup for Channel 4 and Crime Museum UK with Martin Kemp for the Discovery Channel.
Though a native of County Mayo, Hilary spent her early years growing up in Galway. She danced with The Celine Hession School, successfully competing in many competitions throughout her dancing career, including gaining top 5 Solo World medals and World Champion Team medals. Moving to London in 1990, Hilary then danced with Tony Tyrrell for a couple of years, qualifying as a teacher herself in 1991, as an Adjudicator in 1998 and as a Grade Examiner in 2013.
Driven by her passion for and commitment to Irish Dancing and, with a desire to teach, she set up her own school, Scoil Rince Ceim Oir, in 1992. Always with an emphasis on "One Team, One Heart", her school quickly grew and today has multiple teaching venues in West London. Her dancers have attained international acclaim and are holders of all National, International and World titles, for both individual and team dancers. Members of the school also perform around the world in professional shows such as Lord of the Dance and have appeared on various TV shows, Fleadhs, and theatres and have performed for members of the Royal family at the Royal Albert Hall.
Hilary and Marie crossed paths many times over the years, and having worked more closely together on the organising committee to stage The London Worlds in 2014, Hilary and the school became involved with The Marie Duffy Foundation. Always with a community and team focus, the school has long supported charities such as The Tommy Hollis Fund and now additionally host fund raising raffles and events at the annual Ceim Oir Open Feiseanna in support of the Foundation.
Hilary is delighted to have been appointed as a Trustee of The Marie Duffy Foundation in 2017.
Job Titles:
- Trustee
- Member of an Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha
Although born and bred in Scotland, James has strong Irish connections, his mother was from Mayo and his father from County Down. He started Irish Dancing at the age of 9 and qualified as a teacher in 1983, an adjudicator in 1991, a grade examiner in 2002 and he recently became the first person from Scotland to qualify as a full examiner.
As teachers, he and his wife Noreen are proud of their Irish Dance legacy: many of their students have won competitions at national, international and world level as well as having leading roles in Lord of the Dance.
James has been a member of An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha for many years and is currently (2018) the Chairman of the Oireachtas Committee. He has previously held a number of other officer positions within CLRG, including Company Director, Company Secretary, Public Relationship Officer, Chairman of the Management and Finance Committee and Treasurer.
James is delighted to be a founding member of the Marie Duffy Foundation and is Chairperson of Trustees.
Job Titles:
- Secretary
- Trustee
- Secretary and Awards Manager
Mike was born on the Isle of Wight and was educated in southern England. After graduating with a degree in
Chemical Engineering from the University of London, he worked for a number of multinational petrochemical
companies in various roles including production, research, design and consultancy, all of which involved travelling extensively throughout the world. Mike's final role was that of European Operations Director for Borden Chemicals plants in the UK, Holland, France and Spain. However, everything changed in 2003 when he met Marie. They were married in early 2004 and have since travelled all over the world on various dance projects. As a co-founder of the Marie Duffy Foundation, Mike has found a new inspiration and is very excited about the future of Foundation.
Niamh Flatley has known Marie Duffy for many years. Her first dance steps were taken under Marie's direction at the age of 3 and continued through to her years as a professional Irish Dancer.
During her distinguished dance career Niamh performed in all of Michael Flatley's shows including Riverdance, and was the lead dancer and dance captain in Lord of the Dance, Feet of Flames and Celtic Tiger.
She is proud to have had the opportunity to have worked with Marie and Michael, the two most successful and talented Irish Dance advocates of our time.
She married Michael Flatley in 2006 and they have a son Michael St James. Niamh is honoured to be a part of the Marie Duffy Foundation.