Staff Members

Peter Sheridan joined Co-operation Ireland in 2008 as Chief Executive.

In addition to his role as CEO, Peter is an Equality Commissioner in NI and he is also a Commissioner with Londonderry Port and Harbour.

Peter is a former Assistant Chief Constable with the PSNI (formerly the Royal Ulster Constabulary). He retired from the police service in 2008 having spent 32 years policing in NI. Before retiring he was responsible for the Crime Operations Department, which included serious and organised crime investigation including terrorist investigations.

A graduate of Cambridge University, Peter attended the FBI Academy in 1999 and was awarded the OBE in the Queens Birthday Honours list in 2008 for services to the community.

Anthony leads Co-operation Irelands project development team, with responsibility for ensuring the organisations activities are aligned with other strategic peace-building initiatives, both at the statutory and the community level.

His key goal is to ensure Co-operation Irelands has 3 key impacts:

• Improving Relationships between communities
• Promoting effective community leadership
• Creating opportunities for young people affected by division and conflict

Anthony has a strong, personal interest in how society addresses social disadvantage and has been in this sector for over 25 years, spending 11 years in London before joining Co-operation Ireland.

Terry works as fundraising director for the charity raising approximately one-third of Co-operation Ireland funds through a number of strategic approaches.

• Corporate Events in Ireland, London and USA, which seek support from companies through the organisation of dinners (both public and private), and high profile golf classics.
• Sporting challenges such as mass participation bike rides, charity runs and unique family fun events.
• An Ambassador’s programme, which has been developed to enable wealthy individuals and corporates to directly fund and support youth leadership through the provision of finance, work experience and mentorships.

Terry graduated as a Civil Engineer although his career has been mainly involved in bridge building at the community level rather than on the roads. He also graduated in Management Studies from the Open University.

A keen sportsman, Terry has used sport to recruit teams to raise monies for Co-operation Ireland, through participation in many of the world’s leading marathons including New York and London, and marathon bike rides at home and overseas to five separate continents.

During her time with Co-operation Ireland, Niamh has gained extensive experience in the financial administration of programmes delivered by the organisation.

In her current role Niamh manages the financial budgets, claims, invoicing, monitoring and reporting of the organisation’s various projects, co-ordinating and working with a number of Government Departments and Councils.

She is also part-responsible for the design and management of systems used within the organisation to collect and record the financial/monitoring information of funded programmes.

Niamh has several qualifications in administration including CLAIT, ECDL, Sage and Excel.

However, her experience and work has given Niamh a thorough understanding of the monitoring and evaluation information required by funders and is therefore skilled at collating the necessary data needed for reporting purposes.

Justyna has been working in the Accounts Department of Co-operation Ireland since November 2007.

Her main duties are monthly payroll for Belfast and Dublin offices and she is involved in the day to day keeping of all books of accounts records, preparation of monthly financial statements of income/ expenditure and preparation of Annual Statutory Accounts. Since 2013 she has also taken on responsibility for managing the Company Secretary duties.

Justyna graduated from the University of Szczecin with a Masters degree in Chemistry and since moving to Dublin has completed a FCE English Certificate from the University of Cambridge.

She also obtained a FETAC certificate in Manual and Computerised Accounts/Payroll Course and in 2011 completed CIPD Diploma in Human Resource Management.  In September 2020, Justyna will qualify with Ipass Certificate in Payroll Techniques QQI level 6.

Emma undertakes the administration and finance work for Co-operation Ireland’s FACE project, which involves maintaining the projects accounts and procurement of services. She is also involved in helping organise events relating to the project. Emma is responsible for the database management, specifically in the area of the management of claims and in reporting back to the project funders.

Emma has extensive experience of the Financial Services Industry, having workied in Bank of Ireland for 9 years prior to joining Co-operation Ireland.  She has a keen interest in delivering successful events and intends to complete a Degree in Events Management in the near future.

Maurice is the Co-ordinator for the Co-operation Ireland Pride of Palce Competition, (which recently change its name to IPB Pride of Place Competition, in association with Co-operation Ireland) since it began in 2003.

This all-island competition for community groups regularly draws up to 100 entries from groups based in all 32 counties on the island and Co-operation Ireland provides the secretariat for entire competition.

Maurice’s role is to manage the marketing of the competition, oversee the judging of the entries and co-ordinate the delivery of the annual gala event, where all the winners are announced.

Maurice holds a Diploma in Business Studies and prior to working in Co-operation Ireland, he worked for the ESB.

Sharon has many years experience working as a Project Grants Officer and has been responsible for assessing, developing and monitoring a range of cross-border and cross-community projects.

She manages the financial budgets, procurement, claims, monitoring and reporting of various funded projects, co-ordinating and working with a number of Government Departments.

Sharon gained a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Edinburgh and has completed a range of financial and grant monitoring training courses.

She has also been asked to sit on the steering committee of a range of cross-border projects providing funding and monitoring advice.

Brian works as a Research and Evaluation Officer within Co-operation Ireland. The main focus of his role is demonstrating the impact of Co-operation Ireland’s programmes to funders and stakeholders. He designs and carries out evaluations of flagship projects and coordinates monitoring and evaluation activities across the organisation. He also supports the design and piloting of new initiatives and documents lessons learned from our work for dissemination internally and externally.

Brian’s role also involves carrying out research to support programme and policy work, including standalone research projects. He supports strategic planning in the organisation and coordinates the production of annual performance and impact reports.

Previously, he worked as a Research Assistant with the Institute for British-Irish Studies at University College Dublin.

Brian holds a MA in Politics from UCD and a Postgrad Diploma in Social Research Skills from the University of Ulster.

Michelle began working with Co-operation Ireland in July 1996 and since that time has worked extensively with schools and community groups in the design and delivery of cross-border and cross-community programmes.  Michelle’s background is in Psychology, Youth and Community work, Mediation, Conflict Resolution, Facilitation and Groupwork.

Michelle has worked extensively with schools and community groups.  Her recent work has been the delivery of a range of school-based, peace-building programmes.  “SPIRAL for Schools” and “Schools Connecting Cultures” were arts-based;  “Generations for Peace” used positive play and “Connecting 4 Culture” employed workshops promoting inter-generational contact, community engagement and promotion of healthy lifestyles.

Michelle manages Co-operation Ireland’s CATCH (Challenging Attitudes, Changing Horizons) Project, which is being piloted across North Belfast, Lurgan and Strabane.  CATCH is based on the themes of community history, safety and governance and has an over-riding emphasis on the concept of personal responsibility and positive community engagement.

Paula is Project Manager of the All-Island Local Authority Programme, which facilitates an exchange of best practice and information between Councils Chief Executives, North and South as well as providing opportunities for councils to collaborate on joint projects in spatial planning, community planning and waste management.  The programme is one of Co-operation Ireland’s cross-border local government programmes.

Paula holds a Bachelor of Arts in English & Sociological & Political Studies from the National University of Ireland, Galway and a Masters of Arts in International Relations from Dublin City University.

Prior to joining Co-operation Ireland, Paula worked in the education sector and in television production.

Emer oversees the work of a cross community networking programme for groups to share knowledge and experience in Community Development Practices. She has worked across several EU programmes, was seconded to the Community Relations Council for 3.5 years as Senior Development Officer.

Emer gained a BA (Hons) in Business Studies from Glasgow Caledonian University, a certificate in public sector training from the Institute of Leadership and Management, has completed a range of CIPFA financial and grant monitoring training and Queens University courses.

In a voluntary capacity, Emer sits on a Board of Governors, Parish Finance Committee, Primary School PTA and is a member of Parenting NI’s Strategic Focus Group.  She has secured funding for both the family business and groups she volunteers with.

Margaret is Regional Development Officer for the Munster Region, and Programme Co-ordinator specifically within the education and youth sector.

As Regional Development Officer she promotes the work of Co-operation Ireland within the region, supports the development and implementation of programme activity on a regional basis with a cross border focus, and  develops local networks with suitable partners to influence decision makers and stakeholders in supporting Co-operation Ireland’s Strategy on a regional basis.

Margaret has a Masters in Education from University College Cork, a Higher Diploma in Education University College Cork and a B. A. in Economics and Computer Studies, University College Cork.

Alan Largey was born in Belfast, educated at Belfast Royal Academy and Queens University, The Ulster Polytechnic at Jordanstown and the University of Ulster.  He holds a BSC (Hons) in Psychology, a Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Science Education, a MSc and a PhD.

Alan spent nearly 30 years in education on the Shankill Road and during that time his interest in computers and information technology in the teaching environment developed.

After a spell as Director of an eLearning Company he joined Co-operation Ireland where he works on a variety of projects but still retains that interest in multimedia and eLearning.

Patricia has many years experience of working with schools, youth groups and community groups throughout the voluntary sector. She has been involved in assessing funding applications, budgetary management, and project design and delivery. Her current project focusses on women in the community, identifying possible leaders and offering support and training to them.

Patricia holds a BSc (Hons) degree from University of Ulster at Jordanstown and a Masters in Business Administration from the same Institution.

Winnie supports the Head of Events & Fundraising in the organisation and delivery of Co-operation Ireland’s annual calendar of events.  Her role includes research and development of new events, event management, promotion of events, recruitment of participants from the public and corporate sectors, co-ordinating volunteers and voluntary groups, sourcing and securing income from donors, grants and new sponsorship opportunities and developing relationships with key supporters.

Winnie gained experience in event management whilst working with the Northern Ireland Athletic Federation and was involved in the organisation of some of the major international athletics events held in Northern Ireland.

Winnie is enthusiastic about outdoor activities being an active member of a hiking group and taking part in many of the sponsored walks and runs for other charities. She has taken part in 4 overseas cycle challenges for Co-operation Ireland, and competed in the New York Marathon.

Barry Fennell grew up in West Belfast. He is an experienced youth and community facilitator, trainer and practitioner within the organisation’s Programme Delivery team. He has extensive facilitation, project development, and group work experience and practice with young people, women’s groups, military families and international delegations. Barry has since 2006 managed and delivered a number of local and regional peace and reconciliation projects that have worked with many stakeholders and different communities to build relationships and break down barriers.

Barry holds a Degree in Political Science and European History & Literature, a Postgraduate Diploma in Peace and Conflict Studies and a Master’s Degree in Peace Studies, Conflict Resolution Processes, Peace building Strategies, Facilitation & Mediation Techniques all from the University of Ulster. He has tutored part-time for Queens University’s Open Learning Programme and is also a qualified youth worker.

Barry has designed Good Relations, Equality, Diversity and Development Training for Co-operation Ireland staff. He is a Community Trainer with the Volunteer Development Agency and is on the Register of Consultants with the Community Relations Council, Northern Ireland. Barry has also presented papers and co-facilitated workshops at a number of international conferences.

Corinna looks after a number of cross community and cross border youth and education projects.  Most notably, she has been part of the team overseeing the introduction of NCS (National Citizen Service) into Northern Ireland as well as the implementation of the Entwined Histories series to commemorate the decade of centenaries.

Before joining Co-operation Ireland, Corinna was a secondary school teacher and it was her love of working with teenagers and helping to enhance those all-important transitional years that led her into her current job.

Corinna lives with her young family in Castlereagh – there she enjoys a bit of zumba, reading and many trips to Belfast’s city parks with the kids.  She is currently regretting her subscription to Netflix as it has severely curtailed her social life!

Agnès provides administrative, secretarial and development support to several Co-operation Ireland projects, including the CATCH project and the All-Island School Choir Competition. Prior to working on these projects, she provided administrative, secretarial and development support to the “Spiral for Schools”; “School Connecting Cultures”; “Generations for Peace” projects as well as the Civic-Link programme and to the Research and Evaluation Manager.

Before joining Co-operation Ireland in November 2007, Agnès worked for a language school in Dublin. Agnès who comes from France also worked alongside the Business Development Manager for the International Hotel Federation in Paris.

Agnès has an Honours degree in The Humanities with art history and literature from the Open University.

Janet works in the Events and Fundraising Department and is reponsible for the organisation, administration and promotion of many of Co-operation Ireland’s major corporate events and sporting challenges, including the charity’s most successful corporate event, the annual Co-operation Ireland Gala Ball at the Dorchester Hotel, London.

Janet helps deliver corporate and private dinners and golf classics and also links the charity core programmes to its private Youth Leadership Ambassadors.

In her spare time, Janet enjoys swimming, keeping fit and travelling. She also loves animals and is passionate about animal welfare.

Gerilyn’s role within the Finance Department includes recording of all income and expenditure for Co-operation Ireland’s offices in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and it’s event company.

She has responsibility for the preparation of monthly financial reports, audit reports, forecasting expenditure and the monitoring of cash flow.

Gerilyn is involved in the preparation of budgets and financial reports for external funding agencies, including the European Union and the UK and Irish Governments.

She oversees the organisation’s staff payroll system as well as authourising payments for third party suppliers.

Prior to joining Co-operation Ireland Gerilyn worked in Securikey based in Hampshire.

Evan is a 15 year veteran of newspaper journalism who moved to Co-operation Ireland in 2018.

In addition to his communications role, he also manages Co-operation Ireland’s Building Bridges programme.

Matt joined Co-operation Ireland in 2019 and helps co-ordinate two Youth and Education programmes – Amazing the Space and Entwined Histories. Both programmes bring students from different backgrounds together to work alongside each other and to explore the complexities and narratives of the past.

Having graduated from Queens University Belfast in Archaeology and Ancient History, Matt began his career as a tour guide and archivist in a local museum before turning his attention to teaching. The experience of working as a History teacher in school has really helped in his current role in motivating students to work together and make new friendships.

In his spare time Matt enjoys reading history and playing sport. He has a keen interest in the First World War and enjoys regular visits to the Western Front. If he’s not talking to you about the war, he’ll be giving you a run down of the weekend’s rugby matches.

Michelle manages the Open Doors project.  She has over 30 years experience working in the voluntary/community sector in a management capacity.

Michelle holds a BSc (Hons) degree in Community Development and a Masters in International Human Rights Law from the Ulster University. She also holds an ILM in Leadership & Management Workplace Coaching & Mentoring and is a CPD Approved Trainer.

Before joining Co-operation Ireland Michelle worked in the field of Community Education and Human Rights where she was instrumental in designing and delivering human rights, disability equality and mental health training to the public, private and voluntary sectors.

Seana works on the YouthPact Programme, providing financial, administrative and secretariat support to ensure the successful delivery of the programme.  Seana’s role includes the planning and implementation of the administration needs of the programme, monitoring expenditure by all partners, preparing quarterly financial returns, assisting in the preparation and presentation of reports for the programme boards and funders and organising and attending programme meetings.

Seana holds a BSc (Hons) degree in Applied Psychology and has over 10 years extensive experience in finance and office management from HR, payroll, finance management and facilitation of programmes.  Seana has been working on Peace IV and various peacebuilding EU projects over the last 4 years.

Lucy first jointed Co-operation Ireland in 2005.  Since then she has undertaken a number of roles in the organisation, managing cross border and cross community projects and programmes.  After a period of secondment with the Northern Ireland Civil Service, Lucy returned to Co-operation Ireland in 2018 to manage the Communities in Transition project, funded by the Executive Office as part of the Executive Action Plan on Tackling Paramilitarism, Criminality and Organised Crime.

Lucy has a Post Graduate Diploma in Organisation and Management from Queen’s University, Belfast, Master of Arts Degree in Healthcare Ethics from the University of Leeds and Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy and Social Anthropology.

Colm works on the Our Generation Project.

Colm gained a BSc Hons in Community Youth Work from the University of Ulster and has a wealth of experience over his 21 years of youth delivery, working across the Island.

In his spare time Colm is busy at home with his young family alongside his voluntary work in St Galls GAC, Lagmore Youth Project, Christ the Redeemer Parish and runs his own consultancy firm with a number of staff working across N.Ireland.