Resident in Focus: Nuala Toman, Project Manager of Future Screens NI

We caught up with resident, Nuala to find out more about her role with Future Screens NI, her goals for 2020 and what excites her most about her role.

Name & role:

Nuala Toman, Project Manager of Future Screens NI

Company elevator pitch:

Future Screens NI which is a £13m Creative Cluster funded by the AHRC. It brings together Ulster University, Queen’s University Belfast, and key industrial partners, such as NI Screen and RTÉ, who are at the forefront of the local creative economy.

Future Screens NI has a network of more than 20 key industrial partners and 100 SMEs.  Future Screen NI invests in R&D which builds upon the existing strength in NI and utilises new and emerging technologies within the creative industries.  To date Future Screens NI have invested £1.9m in the local economy and created 79 new jobs.  We are always keen to work with more partners, so please do get in touch if you would like to find out more.

Business/career goal for 2020:

To enhance the communication within the Cluster and to achieve greater work-life balance.

What excites you most about your role?

The privilege of working at the forefront of new and emerging technology in NI combined with working with the very best and brightest colleagues from both Universities.  Future Screens NI is doing something completely new.  It is a bedrock for new innovations and each company we work with is source of inspiration and provide an insight into what a brighter future could be.

If you could take one person out for coffee who would it be and why?

Peter Jenner, the former Manager of Pink Floyd and Paul O’Hagan from Ulster University.  Both turned up at one of Future Tuesdays events just to listen, socialise, have a beer and a slice of pizza.  The five minutes I spent talking to them was the funniest, most entertaining conversation I have had in years! And I learned a lot about Music IP too.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned in your role so far?

To be open and flexible, to be mindful of other people and to the ability to juggle a myriad of tasks on a daily basis.

What’s you’re favourite thing about working in a co-working space?

The community and the atmosphere.  Ormeau Baths provide a really uplifting environment which increases productivity.  The site has also played an essential role in network building within the cluster.

If you had to enter into a talent show what would you do?

At the minute it would definitely be Hip Hop.  In the middle of the ongoing Covid-19 Crisis, my husband and I are taking Online Hip Hop classes with our 3-year-old.  Our Street Dance name is The LOL Crew due to all the laughing we have been doing.  Let’s just say some of our moves are simply comical.  In these uncertain times, Róise’s dance teacher Claire has given us a fun-filled daily activity to look forward too and we are learning a new skill as a family.

Tell us something people would be surprised to know about you

I worked with both Florence and the Machine and Laura Marling in the early days of their careers when they toured in Glasgow, my former city.

If you could pick up a new skill in an instant what would it be?

I’d like to crack machine learning and write algorithms.

Who is your dream business mentor?

Greg Maguire from Humain, Deepa Mann Kler from NEON and Cathy Craig from INCISIV would all have lots of expertise and guidance to share which would prove essential within the context of the Creative Industries.