Dr Fran Barlet - Community Foundation NI

Dr Fran Barlet holds the post of Communications Officer at the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland, having previously worked for a leading Belfast Public Relations and Public Affairs agency in 2012-2013, where she honed her skills in the field of corporate communications in a very structured and efficient environment. Before this she spent ten years working in the voluntary and community sector in Northern Ireland (events, administration, communications) and in Brussels where she engaged with European institutions and international organisations, notably through international events and conferences.

Fran holds a Post Master's Degree in Media Translations and a Doctorate in Northern Ireland Politics. Her varied academic and professional experience, combined with her ability to work in different languages has provided the ideal background for a career in public relations and communications. She has a keen interest in current affairs, an in-depth knowledge of Northern Ireland politics and media sector, of European institutions and of the local community and voluntary sector.

She has an aptitude to raise awareness and to develop effective publicity campaigns through integrated communications, creative thinking, problem-solving and intensive networking and efficient partnerships. She was recently PR lead for successful Funding Network event hosted by the Belfast Lord Mayor at the City Hall in November 2013 on behalf of the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland.

Fran is also a writer (ex-UTV blogger and regular press articles) and volunteers for various community organisations.