Michael Boyd OBE is a leadership, management, and organisational change specialist with over two decades of experience in sport, charity, and community development across Ireland and internationally. He is the founder of MB Consulting and Coaching and has held senior roles including 16 years at the Irish Football Association, where he set up and led the IFA Foundation, creating and leading the award-winning “Football For All” and “Let Them Play” community engagement and youth strategies. Michael is a UEFA DFLM award recipient and a European A-Licence Coach. He currently serves as a Consultant Director with the Rio Ferdinand Foundation, Team Fee Pay and Street NI and is the former Chair of Belfast Healthy Cities. He is also a volunteer board member of the Glentoran Social Partnership and the Northern Ireland Youth FA. In 2026 Michael is also joining the HipHop charity 5th Element as their Chair. In 2024, he was awarded an OBE for services to football, charity, and reconciliation in Northern Ireland. Michael currently combines working at the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission where he leads on Engagement, alongside his part time consultancy and voluntary work. He lives in East Belfast, is married to Cathy Whitla and has two daughters, Olivia 11 and Rachael 13. In his spare time, he also manages MB Coaching, working with Belfast Met to deliver the Strandtown Girls Football Academy. Michael is passionate about football, music and art; and specialises in combining his passions with projects that benefit the community.

Dr Michael Isichei is a higher education professional, consultant, and former university lecturer with extensive experience in teaching, strategic planning, programme development, governance, and stakeholder engagement. He previously served as Vice Chair of the Africa Centre in Dublin, where he led organisational strategy development. Michael brings strong expertise in education, evaluation, inclusion, communication, and leadership, supporting organisations to achieve impact and excellence.

David recently retired from the role of Northern Ireland Director at the MS Society. Over the previous 25 years, he held senior positions at the Department of Health and RNIB. David served on the board of the NI Consumer Council between 2012 and 2020 and was a member of the NI Advisory Group for Action on Hearing Loss/RNID from 2014 to 2018. He is currently Treasurer of the Northern Ireland Neurological Charities Alliance.

Beverley McGeown is the Musical Director for Open Arts and MD of the Open Arts Community Choir, which she has led over the past 25 years to great success and accolades. She is also a classical flautist, and the primary tutor for Javanese Gamelan in Northern Ireland, the instruments of which are currently housed in Connswater, just a few doors from Arts Care. Beverley is also a wheelchair user and a keen visual artist.

Nuala is currently Head of Delivery at The King’s Trust, with over 12 years of experience as Head of Student Support at Belfast Metropolitan College. A safeguarding, care, and welfare expert, she is passionate about youth development, inclusion, and wellbeing. With strong leadership, partnership, and change management skills, Nuala is committed to creating safe, impactful opportunities for young people and communities through education, training, and the arts.

Robin works for the Department of Economy, most recently in the Permanent Secretary’s office.  Robin has always been involved in the Arts and is a musician playing piano, percussion and previously playing in bands. Robin studied English at University and is keen to get Board experience with Arts Care given his background in the Arts.

Former: Consultant Microbiologist, Infection Control Doctor and Clinical Lead for Molecular Sciences at the Mater Hospital, now Belfast HSC Trust. Former: Expert member of several Government microbiology-related scientific advisory committees. Former: Scientific Adviser to the Chief Medical Officer in N.Ireland. Present: Consultant Microbiologist, NI Public Health Agency

Former: Director of Business & Corporate Services, Causeway H&SC Trust Current: Member, Dalriada Partnership Steering Project Current: Chairman, Board of Governors Kylemore School, Coleraine

Former: Senior Manager, Medical HR, Belfast HSC Trust Former: Director of Human Resources, South and East Belfast HSC Trust Present: Retired

Jane has held a number of senior nursing positions in Health and Social Care Trusts in Northern Ireland,  including 15 years as a Nurse Consultant for Older People from 2003-2018. Now retired from this post, Jane is currently in practice as a District Nurse.

Dr Gavin Adams is an experienced Senior Manager, with 8 years’ experience as Director of Business Development for Extern group and more recently with Cochrane the Global Health Care Charity. Dr Adams is a previous manager in business development for RNIB, securing grants to aid employment and training opportunities amongst blind and partially sighted adults and young people.