Chief Executive Officer

Max Bryant

Since 2008 Max has worked as General Manager for the National Trust, initially across the whole North Coast and then, following a decision to divide the portfolio, at Giant’s Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede. During this time he was responsible for all day-to-day aspects of the strategy, including conservation, visitor servicing, working with key stakeholders and the delivery of the new visitor centre. Prior to his time with the National Trust Max had a variety of senior roles in the private and charitable sectors including CEO of Sperrins Tourism and head of primary distribution for Sainsbury’s.

Originally from Kent, Max is from a farming background and grew up with a passion for nature, a passion which he has brought to all of his previous roles, including looking at alternative transport solutions and fuel sources for Sainsbury’s. He moved to Northern Ireland in 2003 and is married with 2 sons. Aside from conservation and nature his interests include sport, especially as an enthusiastic coach for Coleraine’s under 18 rugby team, travel and the arts. He is a trustee of World Heritage UK, a Liveryman in the Worshipful Company of Fruiterers and a Freeman of the City of London.

Development Manager

Sean Kelly

Sean Kelly is Parliamentary & Development Officer at Northern Ireland Environment Link and regularly liaises with elected representatives at the Northern Ireland Assembly, Westminster Parliament, the European Institutions and other key decision–makers to help promote member and organisational goals. His role entails assisting NIEL members to influence policy at the local, UK and EU levels as well as participation in European funding opportunities. He also provides the secretariat for the Northern Ireland Biodiversity Group and the NI Assembly All Party Group on European Environmental Directives. Prior to this role he led a number of work streams within NIEL including Climate Change, Freshwater, Biodiversity, Marine and Agriculture and represents NIEL on a number of external local and European fora. Sean has a background in agriculture and European project funding and development.

Senior Policy Officer

Malachy Campbell

Finance Manager

Deborah Shields

Policy & IT Officer

Connor McLean

Connor graduated from Queen’s University Belfast in 2012 with a BSc in Environmental Planning and joined NIEL team in June 2012 as a volunteer, assisting on a range of projects. In January 2013, Connor began working part–time as a Website Assistant, developing NIEL’s social media and online presence. In August 2013, he secured the position of Communications Assistant. Connor also manages events, provides IT support and works on a number of projects including Climate Northern Ireland, the HLF Catalyst Umbrella Programme and the Northern Ireland Open Government Network.

NI Urban Spaces Programme Manager

Lizzy Pinkerton

Historic Environment Policy and Projects Officer

Leah O'Neill

Heritage for Health Programme Coordinator

Beth Frazer

Nourish NI Coordinator

Kerry Melville

Kerry Melville is the co–ordinator of the Belfast Food Network. She is a sustainability consultant, trained at UCL in 1999. She has a keen understanding and working knowledge of environmental sustainability, underpinned by a solid knowledge base and an undergraduate degree in International Development.

Kerry has gathered over 17 years’ experience of co–ordinating and managing all aspects of urban regeneration projects in post–conflict Belfast. She specialises in participatory practices, building exceptional stakeholder relationships, negotiation, conflict resolution, stakeholder analysis, fundraising and delivering award winning, challenging projects.

When she’s not at work, you’ll find her pottering in her herb garden or cooking up sumptuous banquets made with fresh, local and seasonal produce.

Climate NI Manager

Jane McCullough

Climate NI Project Officer

Stephen Jones

Stephen has more than 7 years’ experience co–ordinating climate adaptation in Northern Ireland. He has delivered bespoke climate resources and communication tools with a range of public, private and academic partners across a diverse range of sectors, from Health to Agriculture.

Recently he guided Derry City and Strabane District Council through development of the first climate change adaptation plan in the region. This led to the creation of the ‘Local Government Climate Action Network’ (LGCAN) which aims to develop adaptation plans in every local authority in NI.

Climate NI Project Assistant

Amy Bell

Rural Resilience Coordinator

Jill Montgomery

Jill oversees a new Rural Resilience project in Northern Ireland to support farming communities with information on climate risks, practical adaptation and new farming opportunities and provide additional evidence for the next UK Climate Risk Assessment in relation to Agriculture. Jill has over 20 years experience of project management in Northern Ireland including landscape projects with the National Trust, succession planning for the family farm, business development and funding. Previously she worked in London and overseas in international development for a disability NGO. Jill sits on the Regional Advisory Group for the National Trust and was formerly a Director on the Board of Outdoor Recreation NI. She is passionate about nature and the mutual health benefits of connecting people to the outdoors and is an advocate of outdoor learning for children and local food. Her interests include cycling, running and foreign affairs.

Climate NI Officer

Will Stringer