MEET OUR TRUSTEES
FR. PAUL BYRNE (Area of responsibility: Ireland)
Paul has been associated with the centre for many years. He is an Oblate priest and continues his orders interest in LIC. He as director of the Irish Centre in Birmingham in the sixties, founder/director of SHAC – the Shelter Housing Aid Centre in the seventies’ board member of the Housing Coorporation and of several housing associations; sat on the Irish Government’s Task Force on Emigration; was director of the Irish Bishops’ Commission on Emigration and is still a board member of IECE.
JIM QUINN (Area of responsibility: Finance)
Jim, a retired Bank Manager, has been a Trustee since 2002, and is currently Treasurer of The Charity.
During his career he was professionally involved with the LIC for 13 years, and on his retirement he was invited to join the Board of Trustees, an invitation he was happy to accept.
PHILIP FITZPATRICK (Area of responsibility: Premises)
Philip was born in Kentish Town to Irish parents, and has and known the London Irish Centre all his life. Philip is a Building Surveyor and has been a trustee since 1996. He was the first secretary to the Eskimo Golfing Society
MARY ALLEN (Area of responsibility: Social)
Mary has been highly involved in the London Irish community for many years and is Life President of the Council of Irish Counties Association. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience of community affairs to the Board.
SEÁN KENNEDY (CHAIR)
Sean has been involved with the Centre since 2004, initially as a volunteer befriender and since 2007 as a trustee. Originally from Dublin, he is a property investor and also works in public speaking and presentation skills training.
JUDE BISSERT (VICE-CHAIR and Area of responsibility: Welfare)
Jude joined the Board of Trustees of the London Irish Centre in January 2010. She brings with her 13 years experience in Global Marketing at Hilton Hotels Worldwide. Originally from Germany, Jude enjoys strong ties with Ireland where the majority of her family is based. Jude is also on the committee of the Hotels Marketing Association and has previously worked with RDA (Riding for the Disabled) and Hilton In the Community Foundation.
IAN MCKIM (Area of responsibility: Culture)
Ian is second generation Irish. He is a barrister with a strong background in charity and in pro bono work. As a product of the emigrant community himself, he is passionate about helping older and vulnerable Irish people in London, and to ensure that the Centre is able to continue its support for newer migrants.
EVAN LONG (Area of responsibility: Fundraising)
Evan is from Dublin, and is a business consultant and chartered accountant. He brings a wealth of experience which helps the Charity to ensure that its systems of internal control and financial management are excellent. He is also Chair of the Charity’s fundraising committee.
LEGAL ADVISOR
Jarleth Burke
Jarleth is a Partner at Jones Day. He represents businesses in the telecommunications, energy, broadcasting, aviation, and financial services sectors on competition issues before the EU, UK, and Irish competition agencies. He also advises extensively in relation to telecommunications regulation and is qualified as a solicitor in England and Wales and as a barrister in Ireland.
