Former Channel 4 executive Jane Hector-Jones has been appointed as head of brand partnerships and sponsorship for Factory International as the landmark cultural venue prepares to open its doors in June.
Hector-Jones will spearhead Factory International’s brand partnerships and commercial events strategy, as well as develop new innovative models in IP, broadcast, digital and content led partnerships.
Her decade-long career at Channel 4 spans leading the first partnership and content team for Channel 4 Nations and Region and delivering award-winning sponsorship campaigns with major brands including Aldi and Hillary’s.
In her new role, Hector-Jones’ remit will be to drive meaningful partnerships and sponsorships and purpose-led campaigns with brands that share Factory International’s passion for diversity, sustainability, community, and the future of the arts.
Operated by the team behind Manchester International Festival (MIF), Factory International will be a global destination for arts, music and culture. It will commission and present a year-round programme of interdisciplinary work by leading artists and is expected to attract up to 850,000 visitors annually, adding £1.1 billion to the economy over a decade and creating 1,500 direct and indirect jobs.
ts development is being led by Manchester City Council, with backing from HM Government and Arts Council England.
Factory International will also run a programme of skills, training and engagement that will benefit local people and the next generation of creative talent from across the city. Apprenticeships and trainee schemes are already underway during the construction phase.
Hector-Jones said: “It’s a real honour to be joining the team at Factory International and play a part in the cultural landscape of our city, on a local and global scale. We’re looking to collaborate with brands that want to enact tangible positive change and make a real difference socially and environmentally – and combine that with supporting world-class arts, music, and culture. I truly believe that thoughtful brand partnerships and sponsorships have capacity to change the world around us and that is exactly what we will be doing at Factory International.”
