QUEEN'S HONORARY GRADUATE EXECUTIVE PRODUCES 'ONE WORLD: TOGETHER AT HOME' GLOBAL CONCERT  

01 May 2020

Irish-American entrepreneur, businessman and philanthropist, Declan Kelly – Chairman and CEO of global consulting company, Teneo Holdings – was an executive producer of the recent ‘One World: Together at Home’ virtual concert.

Dr Kelly, a former US Economic Envoy to Northern Ireland (2009-11), is from near Nenagh in County Tipperary. He received an honorary doctorate from Queen’s in 2011 in recognition of his service to the community and to the economy of Northern Ireland, and was awarded an Honorary Professorship from Queen’s Management School in 2017.

The School, in association with the Chief Executives’ Club at Queen’s, also hosts the Annual Declan Kelly Leadership Lecture. The 2019 lecture was delivered by Lord Mervyn Davies of Abersoch, partner and Chairman of Corsair Capital; Senior Independent Director at Diageo; Board member of World Rugby; and Chairman of fashion retailer, Jack Wills.

Dr Kelly is also the founder of the US-NI Mentorship Program, which brings young Northern Ireland graduates to the US to spend a year working alongside staff in leading businesses and organisations.

The ‘One World: Together at Home’ concert, which was arranged by international advocacy organisation Global Citizen and Dr Kelly, raised money for the World Health Organisation Solidarity Response Fund to fight COVID-19. Donations will support and equip healthcare workers on the frontlines around the world, and help local charities that provide food and shelter to people in need.

Dubbed the Live Aid of the digital age and pulled together at breakneck speed, it was broadcast on Saturday 18 April, 2020 on all the major networks, including the BBC and across the United States. It was also streamed on platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

Curated in collaboration with Lady Gaga, the stay-at-home event featured an A-list of international artists including Andrea Bocelli, Celine Dion, Elton John, Taylor Swift, Alanis Morissette, Sir Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder and Billie Eilish, to name but a few.

A Global Citizen board member, Dr Kelly came up with the idea for the event with the organisation’s chief executive Hugh Evans, and worked as executive producer on the show.

Speaking about his involvement in the production, Dr Kelly said: “Teneo is very proud of our partnership with Global Citizen and the incredibly successful One World: Together At Home special which will provide over $128 million in the fight against COVID-19.

“This was truly a historic event which saw leading companies, artists and philanthropists and other world leaders unite like never before to help during this unprecedented time.”

Media enquiries to Zara McBrearty at Queen's Communications Office on telephone: +44 (0)7795 676 858.

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