What was your first job?
I had a summer job as a student working as a DARD (now DAERA) imports inspector at Belfast International Airport and Larne Harbour. I loved the team environment and it was a great experience of working long shifts and unsocial hours. It was also a great insight into how reliant we are as a country on imports.
What qualifications do you have?
I have a BSc (Hons) Geography, MSc in Communications, both from Queen’s University Belfast and a post grad cert in Economic Development from Queen’s University.
What do you attribute your success to?
Hard work, dedication, being a team player and enthusiasm for what I do. As the new CEO of the long established Lough Neagh Fisherman’s Co-operative, I am looking forward to working with the team to develop business opportunities in new markets.
How would you describe yourself to someone who’d never met you?
I’m personable, forward thinking and optimistic. I am a dynamic individual who enjoys meeting and working with people. I would say that l am solutions driven and always keen to explore how efficiencies can be made.
Who do you look up to in business?
No one in particular, but I admire any business involved in primary food production and how this can be evolved and grown, value added and profit made. We all need to eat so fulfilling this basic need is crucial in a world with an ever-expanding population.
How do you get the best out of people who work for you?
I lead by example. It’s no good expecting someone else to do a job if you don’t know how to do it yourself or at least have a knowledge of what is involved.
If you could change one thing about doing business in Northern Ireland, what would it be?
Northern Ireland needs to get better at celebrating success on a global level. We have world class produce, world class people, and a great work ethic. We need to create opportunities where we can show this to the rest of the world and get acknowledged for it.
What website or app could you not do without?
BBC Weather and loads more other weather apps.
What was the last book you read?
Diddly Squat – A year on the Farm by Jeremy Clarkson. The book puts into context the humour, frustration, joy and sheer hard work involved in agriculture and food production.
What car do you drive?
BMW 4 series.
Tell us something interesting about yourself?
I hold a certificate in sheep dipping.
What’s your greatest passion outside work and family?
All my spare time is spent farming. It’s the family business, so there is always plenty to do. We farm beef and sheep so downtime is very rare. Springtime is particularly busy with lambing, followed by silage time, harvest and then autumn sales. Not to forget the daily feeding throughout the year. There is always something that needs done!
