Our People

Our Dedicated Team: Champions of Reuse and Repair

We are committed to understanding and addressing our members’ needs while promoting the benefits of the reuse and repair sector. Together, we can make reuse and repair an integral part of everyday life. Please get in touch if you have any questions:

Our Staff

Eimear Montague

Executive Director

Eimear Montague

Executive Director

Eimear plays a leading role in establishing and developing the Northern Ireland Reuse & Repair Network (NIRN), working to grow its membership among community and third sector organisations. Through her work, NIRN is building capacity, encouraging collaboration, and championing the circular economy in Northern Ireland. She has been appointed as a Visiting Professor at Ulster University, joining a board of external experts who will support the University’s academic programmes, drive innovation, and strengthen partnerships across industry.

Catherine Taylor

Operations Manager

Catherine Taylor

Operations Manager

An experienced leader and manager, Catherine brings over 14 years of project delivery and strategic development to her role as Operations Manager. Having successfully managed budgets up to £200k and secured £2.5M in funding, she is skilled in financial management and policy creation. She now applies this expertise to streamline operations, manage resources, and support the team’s success.

Maria McLaughlin

Communications and Events Officer

Maria McLaughlin

Communications and Events Officer

Maria has over 20 years experience in communications and events - drafting press releases, newsletters, social media and website content. She has planned and executed corporate events here in N. Ireland as well as GB, France and Germany. Maria's experience extends to serving as secretary for the NI Guild of Journalists where travel also developed her environmental interests.

George Gillespie

Community Network Manager

George Gillespie

Community Network Manager

George brings 25 years of expertise in the charity sector, with a focus on leadership and charity development. As a Training Consultant, he excels in designing comprehensive training programmes, strategies, and policies, with a specialisation in charity governance. He has served as an Investing in Volunteers Quality Standard Assessor for 15 years and holds a bachelor's degree in business management.

Katie O’Donnell

Community Network Manager

Katie O’Donnell

Community Network Manager

Katie brings policy and advocacy experience, in particular through her work developing a Member’s Bill focusing on biodiversity and nature restoration. Her background includes environmental education and climate advocacy with Teach the Future, arts sustainability with EcoArt, and workshop facilitation through the Artitude project.

Julie Armstrong

Project Officer

Julie Armstrong

Project Officer

Julie is a skilled community engagement professional with expertise in arts and cultural heritage. As Development Officer for Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark, she has advanced partnerships to protect its beauty. Her previous roles at Ardhowen Theatre and Fermanagh County Museum deepen her passion for preserving Northern Ireland’s culture and heritage for generations to come.

Orlaith Quinn

Environmental Education Office

Orlaith Quinn

Environmental Education Office

Orlaith brings over two years’ waste management experience from Mid Ulster District Council. She drives reuse and waste reduction initiatives across schools, businesses, and communities. Recognised in the Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful 30 Under 30 Climate Change Makers cohort for 2024/25, she also volunteers with Special Olympics Ireland.

Catherine Mullin

Community Network Manager

Catherine Mullin

Community Network Manager

Catherine has over 14 years' experience working across the NI Community/Voluntary sector. Her expertise spans intensive 1:1 support in the realms of disability, addiction & victims/survivors of conflict. She has spent the past decade dedicated to the development and facilitation of educational training on a varied range of Health & Wellbeing topics delivered to a range of audiences across the island of Ireland. She brings passion and a flair for connecting with, empowering and supporting individuals as well as strengthening communities, having worked extensively in the Western and Mid-Ulster regions

Email:catherinemullin@ni-rn.org

Our Board

Michael Sloan

Area Manager – East Belfast Mission (EBM)

Michael Sloan

Area Manager – East Belfast Mission (EBM)

Michael oversees the management & development of EBM – an award winning Social Enterprise with stores selling preloved clothing, refurbished furniture and and repaired bicycles. As a board member of Community Resources Network Ireland, he has a wealth of experience in reuse & repair in the Social Enterprise and Community sector.

Heidi Redmond

Project Officer – Strategic Investment Board (SIB)

Heidi Redmond

Project Officer – Strategic Investment Board (SIB)

Liam McNally

Practitioner - International Synergies

Liam McNally

Practitioner - International Synergies

Through his work, Liam engages members in practical and innovative application of Industrial Symbiosis within their businesses to achieve positive economic benefits, environmental compliance and positive social responsibility when utilising resources. Liam is adept at problem solving to assist businesses seeking to apply Circular Economy and IS principles, which supports them on the first steps towards Net Zero Waste.

Nuala Griffiths

Environmental, Social & Governance Manager, Heron Bros

Nuala Griffiths

Environmental, Social & Governance Manager, Heron Bros

Nuala oversees construction projects in Northern Ireland and Scotland, and is experienced in the public & private sector, delivering events and engaging with organisations to showcase a wide range of careers that the construction industry offers. Her focus is on a wider circular economy and how the construction industry can make an impact in the communities in which they work.

Marcus Campbell

Project Officer, Belfast City Council

Marcus Campbell

Project Officer, Belfast City Council

Marcus has almost 20 years experience in sustainable resource management. Employed in Belfast City Council’s Waste Management Unit, his responsibilities include developing and delivering new recycling, reuse and repair initiatives, and supporting the city’s moves towards a more circular economy. Marcus values the opportunities this provides to meet social need and support the local economy in addition to delivering environmental benefits.

Professor Ian Montgomery

Dean of Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility at Ulster University

Professor Ian Montgomery

Dean of Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility at Ulster University

Ian has championed environmental sustainability for over 15 years. His research focuses on design theory, knowledge transfer, sustainability, and cultural heritage. He has held senior leadership roles in higher education, including serving on the boards of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and the Higher Education Academy. Montgomery is a recognized leader in sustainability, chairing the Derry & Strabane Sustainability & Climate Commission and the Belfast Climate Commission. He is a Trustee of EAUC and incoming Chair of Belfast Healthy Cities. He has built strong international collaborations, receiving an award from the Chinese government and holding an Honorary Professorship. Beyond academia, he serves on the boards of two Northern Ireland grammar schools, demonstrating a commitment to education and community engagement.

Meg Magill

Innovation & Entrepreneurship Project Manager at InterTrade Ireland

Meg Magill

Innovation & Entrepreneurship Project Manager at InterTrade Ireland

Meg is an Innovation and Entrepreneurship Project Manager at InterTradeIreland, focusing on initiatives that support women entrepreneurs on an all-island basis. In 2024, she founded The Wee Swap, a grassroots project in East Belfast promoting reuse and sustainability for local families. As well as having over a decade of experience in the arts industry, Meg is also part of Ulster University's 25@25 Leadership Cohort, engaging with other leaders to explore innovative approaches to collaboration in Northern Ireland.