INO’s Future Leaders Network Wins the 2025 Business to Arts CBRE Creativity in the Workplace Award
Irish National Opera and Spencer Lennox are thrilled to be the recipients of the Business to Arts CBRE Creativity in the Workplace Award for their partnership on the Future Leaders Network initiative.
Back in 2023, INO and Spencer Lennox came together to explore how networking could be shifted out of traditional corporate settings into an inclusive arts environment. The result was INO’s Future Leaders Network: a programme designed for young professionals across diverse industries to connect in a unique cultural setting.
Since its inception, the initiative has grown into a dynamic cross-industry community of around 200 emerging leaders from sectors including law, finance, tech, life sciences, engineering, fashion and more - a vibrant mix of young professionals connected through their openness, creativity and deep motivation to innovate and embrace new experiences. Cultural engagement is the backbone of the Future Leaders Network: it creates an inclusive, diverse space where early-career professionals can explore unique forms of connection, from speed networking and talks to backstage tours and enjoying live opera!
Through their shared core values of inclusion, diversity and connection, INO and Spencer Lennox lower cultural barriers, introduce opera to a new demographic, create organic connection between diverse industries and model how arts organisations and businesses can come together to drive social inclusion and cross-sector collaboration.
“We are thrilled that our wonderful partnership with Spencer Lennox has been acknowledged by the Business to Arts Awards Jury,” said Aoife Daly, Director of Development at Irish National Opera. “As this incredible network of inspiring young professionals continues to grow, we look forward to working with industry leaders across multiple sectors to create a lasting framework for corporate engagement with the arts and culture sector. We are incredibly grateful to Bryan Durkan for his belief in our work and for coming on this journey with us.”
“We are thrilled to receive this recognition from Business to Arts for our wonderful partnership with Irish National Opera,” said Bryan Durkan, Managing Director of Spencer Lennox. "The INO Future Leaders Network has lowered cultural barriers, making networking accessible, and enabling early stage career professionals to build long-lasting connections based on shared experiences and values. A special thank you to Aoife Daly and the INO team for their incredible work in shaping this programme over the past three years. This initiative reflects the shared vision and values of Spencer Lennox and INO, and we are proud to continue supporting its growth. Congratulations to all of this year’s nominees and winners.”
About Spencer Lennox
Spencer Lennox is a specialist legal recruitment firm headquartered in Dublin. With a strong focus on partnership, professionalism and people, the firm supports legal professionals and law firms at every stage of their careers and growth journeys.
About the Business to Arts Awards
The Business to Arts Awards celebrate creative partnerships between the corporate and cultural sectors in Ireland. The 2025 awards ceremony took place on Monday, 8 September at the National Concert Hall, Dublin.