Big Lottery Fund

Joanne McDowell

Northern Ireland Director

Working for BIG not only offers me the chance to meet a wide range of stakeholders, but also to listen to the volunteers and the beneficiaries involved in the projects we fund. This gives me a real and valuable opportunity to understand the difference that lottery funding makes to communities in Northern Ireland and across the UK.

Joanne was appointed as Big Lottery Fund, Director for Northern Ireland in September 2010. She has worked for BIG and one of the legacy bodies for the past 11 years. Prior to her new appointment she was responsible for policy, development and public affairs work in Northern Ireland.

Before joining Big Lottery Fund, Joanne lectured in European Studies and rural development and she worked as a consultant for a major private sector body in Northern Ireland.

Joanne has a Doctorate from the University of Ulster, in planning policy and legislative change in Spain.