Class of 2023

Through his role at More in Common, Conleth helps leaders and organisations from across politics, business, and civil society to navigate tricky, divisive and challenging issues by better understanding the public’s values and starting points (particularly those of less engaged groups) on a range of issues – from climate to culture wars.

He is an alumnus of the University of Oxford, where he studied law, and the Washington Ireland Programme.

He is a trustee of the local community development association in his homeplace of Armoy.

Charmain brings a wealth of experience to her role, having worked for over twenty years in the field of good relations, peace building, community development and youth development.

She has worked at a grassroots level for many years and has represented rural communities at local, regional and international level.

Charmain is very well known within the sector and is held in high regard, highlighted recently in 2019 by winning the prestigious Community Relations Council Exceptional Achievement Award in Good Relations.

Caoimhe graduated with a BSc in Molecular Biology and PhD by research from Queens University, with a DARD studentship.

She also completed a PGDip in Management & Corporate Governance from the Ulster University.

Caoimhe was elected as an MLA for East Derry/Londonderry in May 2016 and re-elected in March 2017 and May 2022.

She is currently Minister for Economy in the NI Executive and was formerly Minister for Finance.

Caoimhe previously worked in applied horticulture research, highlighting her strong belief in the importance of investment in R&D and SMEs to enable local businesses to compete in a global market.

Ben Mallon is a DUP councillor on Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council as well as a director at Cavendish, a strategic communications and public affairs agency.

With experience working at European, Westminster, and Assembly levels, in addition to being a Lisburn & Castlereagh City councillor between 2014–2019, Ben has a wealth of knowledge and experience of the political and legislative processes across these islands.

Prior to joining MCE, he worked for a consultancy firm in the Middle East, advising both government and civil society organisations in conflict transformation. Ben sits as a Board Director of Intercomm Ireland and is an alumnus of the Washington Ireland Program for Service and Leadership, working with the Northern Ireland Bureau in Washington DC.

He is married to Emma, and they have three young children, Annie, Isaac and Matilda.

Alfred also works as a Strategic Partnerships Manager, leading a Policy, Strategy and Communications team for the Supporting People Programme with the NIHE.

He has an academic background in social policy and criminology and has spent over twenty years in various leadership positions pioneering a number of initiatives, projects and organisations, some of which include Interact NI, ACSONI, African & Caribbean Chamber of Commerce NI, MME Think Tank, and the O2G Foundation. In recognition of his contribution to civic life in Northern Ireland, Alfred was invited by HRM, the Queen, and the late Duke of Edinburgh, to a Commonwealth leaders’ event in Buckingham Palace.

He has been credited with several community awards for his contribution to race relations, equality, diversity and inclusion in Northern Ireland.