Experience

Choice Housing Ireland Ltd

• United Kingdom
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Head Of Corporate Affairs

  • Mar 2021 - Present



Victoria Housing Estates

• Holywood

• Chief Executive Officer

  • 2016 - Mar 2021



Consultant/ Freelance

• Capacity building/ leadership/ peace building

  • Apr 2015 - Mar 2021



Marie Stopes International

• United Kingdom
• Non-profit Organizations
• 700 & Above Employee

• Programme Director, Northern Ireland

  • Aug 2012 - Apr 2015

  Lead the development and implementation of Marie Stopes International (MSI) programme in Northern Ireland. Built and maintained excellent relations with relevant health professionals, political leaders and community groups to secure a high level of support for the programme. Lead the development of strategic and business plans for MSNI. Maintained an overview of key developments in the sector. Developed the infrastructure of a new clinic in Belfast. Worked with the regulatory authority to achieve registration. Ensured appropriate resources and skills are in place to ensure service provision. Ensured adherence to all local statutory obligations and that the quality of care was maintained at all times. Shared knowledge and evidence of lessons learned and best practice with MSI and other key stakeholders.



Self-employed

• Northern Ireland

• Independent Consultant

  • Aug 2011 - Aug 2012

  Worked with Marie Stopes International to open the first integrated sexual and reproductive health centre in Northern Ireland providing early medical abortion services to women who qualified under the legal framework. Provided advice on NI Assembly procedures including legislative process and effective lobbying skills to Third Sector organisations. Worked with Marie Stopes International to open the first integrated sexual and reproductive health centre in Northern Ireland providing early medical abortion services to women who qualified under the legal framework. Provided advice on NI Assembly procedures including legislative process and effective lobbying skills to Third Sector organisations.



Northern Ireland Assembly

• United Kingdom
• Government Administration
• 100 - 200 Employee

• MLA

  • Mar 2007 - May 2011

  Member, Public Accounts Committee Member, Committee for Finance and Personnel Chair, All Party Group for Children and Young People Chair, All Party Group for Sexual Health Chair, All Party Group on United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 Chair, All Party Group for Black and Minority Ethnic Communities Director, Northern Ireland Assembly and Business Trust Executive Member, Northern Ireland Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Member, All Party Group for the Community and Voluntary Sector Member, All Party Group for Learning Disabilities



Northern Ireland Policing Board

• Northern Ireland

• Independent Member

  • Apr 2006 - May 2007

  Served as independent member of the public body responsible for holding the Police Service of Northern Ireland to account through the Chief Constable and senior officers. Member of the Human Resources Committee which examined the management of sickness absence within the PSNI. Member of the Community Engagement and Human Rights Committee ensuring police compliance with the Human Rights Framework and explored opportunities for developing and increasing police and community engagement. Resigned as required upon election to the Assembly.



The University of Huddersfield

• United Kingdom
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Research Assistant

  • Apr 2006 - Nov 2006

  Led research activities for the project, ‘Abandoning Historical Conflict? Former paramilitaries in Northern Ireland’, which examined former prisoners’ rationale for joining armed organisations and the extent to which this has been reshaped or abandoned due to prison experiences and education. Conducted and transcribed interviews, facilitated focus group discussions, and prepared written material for publication. Led research activities for the project, ‘Abandoning Historical Conflict? Former paramilitaries in Northern Ireland’, which examined former prisoners’ rationale for joining armed organisations and the extent to which this has been reshaped or abandoned due to prison experiences and education. Conducted and transcribed interviews, facilitated focus group discussions, and prepared written material for publication.



Ulster University

• United Kingdom
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Research Associate

  • Apr 2005 - Mar 2006

  Compiled databases of loyalist paramilitary deaths, punishment attacks and pipe bombing incidents using Microsoft Excel and SPSS; generated graphs and tables from data sets; conducted and transcribed interviews; and, prepared written material for publication. Analyzed loyalist paramilitary violence in Northern Ireland from 1966 to 2005 and examined the rationale for such violence. Compiled databases of loyalist paramilitary deaths, punishment attacks and pipe bombing incidents using Microsoft Excel and SPSS; generated graphs and tables from data sets; conducted and transcribed interviews; and, prepared written material for publication. Analyzed loyalist paramilitary violence in Northern Ireland from 1966 to 2005 and examined the rationale for such violence.