Our Team

OUR PRESIDENT

Sir Ronnie Weatherup was appointed as Belfast Charitable Society President in 2018. Sir Ronnie was educated at Queen’s University Belfast and was called to the Bar of Northern Ireland in 1971 and took Silk in 1993. He was appointed a High Court Judge in 2001 and to the Court of Appeal in September 2015. Sir Ronnie retired in June 2017.

Sir Ronnie is a former member of the Judicial Studies Board, a former Judge in residence at Queens University Belfast and Visitor to the University of Ulster from 2004 to 2014. He also served as an inaugural member of the Judicial Appointments Commission from 2005 to 2013.

Sir Ronald WeatherupPresident

OUR BOARD

David WattersChairperson

David was a founding partner of McClure Watters, formed in 1989. Under David’s leadership the firm grew into one of the largest accounting and advisory firms in Northern Ireland. David has sat on the boards of many local companies and charities for over thirty years. David has a wide range of commercial and governance experience obtained through participation at an executive and advisory level in a great number of sectors. He was a Trustee of the Northern Ireland based The Spirit of 2012 Trust and a non-executive director of the Northern Ireland Guardian Ad Litem Agency.

Bill OsborneHonorary Treasurer

Bill is currently Honorary Treasurer for the Belfast Charitable Society. He is a Director of VSB Foundation and Chairperson of the Building Change Trust. The VSB Foundation is a small charitable body primarily supporting volunteering, citizen engagement and community development. Bill joined the Society on the recommendation of another member, and with his valuable background in the Community and Voluntary sector he was then asked to join the Board. Bill intends to continue to develop social enterprise and philanthropy within his work with the Belfast Charitable Society.

Alan MoneypennyActing Honorary Secretary

Alan is currently the Acting Honorary Secretary of the Belfast Charitable Society, as well as Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee. He has worked for many years in both the public and private sector including positions on the Board of the Odyssey Trust, Irish Football Association, Coleraine’s Riverside Theatre and Vice Chair of Sports NI. He is currently on the Board of Groundworks and is Chair of the Ulster Community Investment Trust.

Colin GrahamBoard Member

Colin is a documentary film maker, the Chair of Digital Art Studios Belfast and a Main Board Director of GRAHAM Holdings Ltd. Colin became involved with the Belfast Charitable Society to help the Society protect its philanthropic heritage and to ensure it remained relevant in today’s difficult social and economic environment. He also wanted to help and encourage a new era of philanthropic generosity.

Diane GrahamBoard Member

Diane is the Matron and Chief Executive with operational responsibility at the Ulster Independent Hospital. She got involved with the Charitable Society because of her expertise in the provision of care for the elderly. Her experience and skills in healthcare was considered extremely beneficial to the Charitable Society. Diane wishes to continue with the altruistic values and spirit of helping which have motivated the Belfast Charitable Society since 1774 when the Poor house and hospital opened to provide care for the disadvantaged.

Norma SinteBoard Member

Norma retired in 2019 from Queen’s University Belfast where she was Director of Development and Alumni Relations. She joined Queen’s in 2000 as Head of Corporate and Major Gifts Fundraising and was appointed to the post of Director in 2008. In her role at Queen’s she also managed two senior voluntary Boards: the Queen’s Foundation and the Friends of Queen’s USA. Norma wants to help the Society retain its innovative and entrepreneurial outlook and build on its philanthropic heritage. Norma is also currently chair of the Mary Ann McCracken Foundation.

Matt HigginsBoard Member

Matt Higgins is a founding principal of HHD solicitors. Matt’s work was predominantly in Criminal Law, Judicial Review and human rights. He was chairman of the Belfast Solicitors Association 2008/2009, Treasurer of N.I. Criminal Bar Association and is a lead member of the Law Society of Northern Ireland’s Criminal Rules Negotiating Team. Matt is also a Director of the Metropolitan Arts Centre in Belfast, Chair of The Friends of St Malachy’s, committee member North Belfast Harriers and committee member of Jog Belfast.

Ian ElliottBoard Member

Ian Elliott has over 40 years experience in social housing including at the NI Housing Executive; BIH Housing Association where he worked with BCS on developing Clifton House sheltered housing; leading the Choice Group including significant community engagement and most recently with Abbeyfield. He developed a large number of local charitable partnerships as well as founding Oaklee Housing in Dublin. He has a particular interest in our local heritage and serves on the Disability Action NI board.

OUR TEAM

Clifton House is managed by a small, dedicated team ensuring that the history and heritage of the house is preserved and promoted.

Paula ReynoldsChief Executive

Lucy FraserFacilities and Events Officer

Aaron McIntyreArchive and Heritage Development Officer

OUR VOLUNTEERS

Volunteers are vital for the delivery of our many tours and talks that Clifton House offers throughout the year. Over the last two years, we have invested in White Badge Accreditation for our volunteers. This has allowed us to offer a culturally rich and informative experience for those visiting Clifton House, putting us on a power with some famous London landmarks like Tower Bridge and St Paul’s Cathedral. Volunteers themselves have learnt a great deal about the history and heritage of North Belfast, and have grown in confidence in being a tour guide for the cities oldest working building.

Our volunteers have also helped us deliver of some of our ongoing projects, including supporting events as part of the North Belfast Heritage Cluster, and Great Place North Belfast.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer for Clifton House, contact us for more information.