Meet the Board

CHAIR

Brian Scott's varied career included teaching in Africa, publishing in UK and Mexico, agribusiness management in developing countries and the US, and fish farming in Canada and Ireland. His last full-job before retiring was CEO of Oxfam Ireland for ten years. He has extensive business and charity management experience, and for the past 11 years has served on the boards of several charities. He has degrees from Queen's University Belfast, London University, and Harvard Business School.

BOARD MEMBER

Miss Rosemary Rainey is Chair of the Transferor Representatives’ Council, a Board Member of the Board of Education of the Methodist Church in Ireland, and a member of the NI Cancer Registry Council.

Having served on several Government working groups and numerous educational bodies, she was Chairman of the former Belfast Education and Library Board (2010-2015) and President of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (NI Branch) (1989-1991).

She is Chair of the Board of Governors of Grosvenor Grammar School and a trustee of the Stephen Parker Memorial Fund, City of Belfast School of Music.

Rosemary was awarded an OBE in 2011 for services to education.

Active in the voluntary sector, she was Chairman of Women's Forum NI (2004-2008) and given their highest award of honorary life membership in 2010.

Rosemary has been appointed to the Board of Angel Eyes NI and brings a wealth of trustee experience and an extensive knowledge of education through her many roles.

BOARD MEMBER

Colin graduated with a BSc degree in Occupational Psychology and has extensive experience working in the Learning & Development function within organisations. Colin has had a varied career working for large international organisations across Retail, Manufacturing and Information Technology sectors.

Currently working as a Learning & Development Consultant, Colin has a passion for developing people to their fullest potential.

Colin loves to travel and is a keen sport enthusiast.

Colin decided to join the board through a personal connection and in order to support those who need it the most as a result of sight loss.

BOARD MEMBER

Michael Johnston is currently a Consultant Solicitor with Carson McDowell solicitors in Belfast, having previously been head of the corporate department and then Managing Partner at Carson McDowell. Michael has extensive experience in advising on corporate governance, corporate structures and mergers and acquisitions. Michael serves as a director / trustee on a number of charities and was previously a member of a board of governors at a local Grammar School.

Michael, is a father and grandfather, and when not engaging in legal activities, helps out in his daughter’s bakery. Other interests include travel, sailing and playing the guitar.

BOARD MEMBER

Naomi is a primary two teacher in a local primary school. She has a rare visual impairment called Morning Glory Syndrome.

Growing up, Naomi had to overcome many obstacles. However, she always had the strong belief that a disability should never define who you are and should never stop you doing anything.

This outlook has allowed Naomi to achieve many things including achieving a First Class Honours in her BEd Primary Education degree at Stranmillis University College and achieving Grade 8 in piano, violin and voice. She has also had the opportunity to be a member of several prestigious choirs including the National Youth Training Choir of Great Britain, the National Youth Choir of Northern Ireland and New Irish Arts.

Naomi is passionate about ensuring children and young people with visual impairments are fully included in the mainstream setting. For her final year undergraduate dissertation, she explored the inclusion of visually impaired children in mainstream classrooms. Her research led her to Angel Eyes NI.

Following initial conversations, Naomi became engaged in the work of Angel Eyes. Naomi agreed to join the Board of Angel Eyes in 2021 as she was keen to be part of ensuring the full inclusion of visually impaired children across society.

“I’m Brian Wallace, I work as a Manufacturing Director, but more importantly husband of Ali and dad to Alfie and Freddie. I’m now delighted to say that I’m also a Director/Trustee of Angel Eyes Services NI.

On 24th July 2019 Freddie was diagnosed with an aggressive, degenerative form of Retinal Dystrophy. Our lives changed from that day. As a family we have been so grateful to have an exceptionally supportive network of family, friends and colleagues. We have also benefitted through guidance from medical experts and charities for the blind and visually impaired. Angel Eyes NI were one of the first charities that Ali spoke to for advice on how we could best support Freddie through these new challenges. Sara and Karen blew us away with their knowledge, passion and determination to help Freddie, and other children and young people like him to fulfil their potential.

So why take on another role? It’s all in the Angel Eyes vision. “All children and young people who are blind or are partially sighted in Northern Ireland will have equal access to everything they need to flourish.” This is an amazing vision and a huge challenge and one that I’m glad to be able to support. I’ve worked in business for almost 25 years and held many voluntary roles in community, schools and sports organisations supporting young people during this time. I hope to assist Angel Eyes by using some of this experience to help continue the fantastic work that they already do. In my opinion there are few things better than seeing someone develop to their full potential. To play a small part in supporting someone to reach their goals, despite the challenges they face, is surely even better again?”

BOARD MEMBER

Michelle is mum to son Finn who is twelve years old and a little girl Elodie who is nine. Elodie was born with underdeveloped eyes with the rare condition micropthalmia and coloboma and she developed complications as a baby when both her retinas detached.

Michelle is an Advanced Practitioner Occupational Therapist with eighteen years experience in a range of settings and she is very passionate about early intervention and habilitation for children with sight loss.

Michelle decided to join the board as she wanted to be a part of improving parents navigation into the world of sight loss and to help improve outcomes for our children.

BOARD MEMBER

Wilson’s career was in health and social services as a qualified CIMA and CGMA accountant. He is the former Director of Finance of Craigavon and Banbridge Health and Social Services; The Royal Group of Hospitals; Ulster and North Down Hospitals and finished as Director of Finance with Northern Health and Social Services board.

When Wilson retired he was a member of Legal Aid and chaired the Audi Committee. He was also on the board of South Western Education & Library Board.

VOLUNTEER MINUTE SECRETARY

Torie was born 3 months early which resulted in her being totally blind. She attended Jordanstown School in Belfast from primary to secondary school and completed a range of GCSE subjects. When she left school, she volunteered at the Cedar Foundation teaching blind and partially sighted adults how to use a computer with a screen reader, using her personal experience of computers to get the adults up and running with the basics of a computer. She is currently working her second guide dog and is involved with Guide Dogs as a speaker giving talks to schools and groups. She is the chair of the Ballymena fundraising branch of Guide Dogs. She campaigned to get audio announcements on metro buses in Belfast and won an award in 2013 for her campaigning work as a young person.

Torie sits on the disability consultation panel for the Northern Health Trust and has recently been appointed chair of the panel. She has delivered disability equality training to Trust staff as part of her role.

Torie leads a very active life and believes in making the most of every opportunity presented to her. She attends an art class on a Thursday morning in Belfast for visually impaired adults which has been exhibited to mainstream audiences.

Torie is currently the minutes secretary on the Board of Trustees of Angel Eyes NI, as is keen to ensure that visually impaired children be given the same opportunities as fully sighted and to become as independent as possible a from a young age.