TITANIC Foundation Ltd, the charity responsible for promoting and preserving Belfast’s maritime heritage, is to be known now as Maritime Belfast Trust.
The newly-named trust will broaden its remit to help deliver Belfast’s waterfront as a vibrant, accessible heritage destination and will work alongside key partners to support with the delivery of the city’s Covid-19 recovery plans.
It will focus on five key themes of Connect, Energise, Enrich, Influence and Thrive to enable it to deliver on its mission ‘to preserve and promote Belfast’s rich maritime heritage for the enjoyment of current and future generations and in doing so contribute to sustainable social and economic development’.
Kerrie Sweeney, chief executive of Maritime Belfast Trust, described it as “a very exciting time in our history”.
She added: “Over the past ten years, it has been a privilege to work alongside our strategic partners, funders as well as the many local communities and volunteers as we delivered a range of significant projects that have helped to shape, transform and make accessible our amazing waterfront and maritime assets.
“We look forward to continuing to work with everyone as we look to the future to deliver, promote and protect Belfast’s magnificent maritime heritage; especially within the city’s Covid-19 recovery plans, and ensure the city’s historic waterfront plays an integral part of the Belfast experience; a destination that is alive with people and where businesses thrive.”
And Marie Therese McGivern, chair of Maritime Belfast Trust, added: “This is an opportunity to expand our charitable purposes to allow us to support Belfast Harbour and other key stakeholders to deliver a vibrant, historic waterfront destination through the advancement of heritage, culture, arts, events and community development.
“Our commitment to our heritage assets Titanic Belfast, SS Nomadic and The Great Light remain unaltered and will play a vital role as we continue to deliver maritime heritage projects for the city.”
Belfast Harbour chief executive Joe O’Neill said: “Creating an iconic waterfront for the city is one of Belfast Harbour’s key strategic goals.
“Our strategic partnership with Maritime Belfast Trust plays a vital role in helping us to deliver this ambition and protect our maritime heritage.
“We have worked collaboratively with Titanic Foundation since its inception, and as it evolves into Maritime Belfast Trust, we welcome the opportunity for increased partnership working.
“With the support of Maritime Belfast Trust, we're confident our ambitious plans and ongoing investments will continue to develop an iconic waterfront area in which people want to work, live, invest and relax.”
