I joined BITCNI in a contracting capacity to work specifically on the development, implementation, and delivery of BITCNI’s work programme for the North-West of Ireland. I was responsible for the overall business strategy and engagement with businesses in the region. I have developed a leadership network, bringing businesses together to work collaboratively breaking down barriers and supporting the growth and development of the overall community.

I started out with Disability Action NI as the Director of Services, before progressing to the role of Chief Executive Officer; a role I carried out for over 7 years. I diversified the organisation, building a new strategic plan which I put into place at an organisational level, growing the business substantially. A huge part of my role was building and maintaining strong working relationships both internally and externally with disability agencies, local government, as well as with contacts across the world. Highlights Included:• After a strategic review, I introduced new technologies and streamlined the organisation which saw significant financial growth. I am particularly proud of this achievement.• Developing a consortium of 4 nations UK wide to expand further than Northern Ireland, resulting in significant advancements for people living with a disability. • Secured a five-year contract, valued at £5 million, distributing research grant funding to voluntary sector organisations, via a competitive process, throughout the UK.• I represented Disability Action in many political arenas including House of Commons, European Parliament, and a key achievement for me was to be asked to deliver a keynote address at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, on the rights of disabled people to live independently.• Frequent international travel to London, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Strasbourg, Brussels, Zagreb, Kiev, Washington DC, and New York.