Team category

Class of 2027

Adam Watters

Project Support Worker, Northern Ireland Alternatives

Adam Watters grew up in the Greater Shankill area and recently graduated with a Law degree from Ulster University. Adam has always been passionate about giving back to his community and helping others. After graduating, he spent two months in Washington, DC, with the Washington Ireland Program, an experience that broadened his perspective, strengthened his personal development, and connected him with people from across the island of Ireland. Adam now works for Northern Ireland Alternatives. In his spare time, he enjoys keeping fit, watching films, and exploring his interest in art.

Daniel Toft

Policy Officer, Ulster Farmers’ Union
Daniel Toft is a policy, communications and operations professional with experience across the parliamentary, academic, and charitable sectors. Daniel works as a Policy Officer at the Ulster Farmers’ Union, where he represents the interests of farm families in legislative and policy discussions and develops member-led policy positions. He also serves as Chief of Staff at Friends of the British Overseas Territories, overseeing strategic operations, stakeholder engagement, and key projects. Daniel holds a BA in Politics from Queen’s University Belfast and an MSc in Political Science, specialising in Conflict Studies and Comparative Politics, from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Ren Thompson

Policy and Research Officer, Alliance Party
Ren Thompson is the Policy and Research Officer for Peter McReynolds MLA, where she is involved in developing policy and supporting constituency work. Prior to this, Ren worked for the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission within the Youth Assembly Team, where she supported young people to have their voices heard within local politics. She recently completed a Master’s in Conflict Transformation and Social Justice. Ren’s passion for peacebuilding led her to volunteer with Belfast YMCA, serve as a member of the Shared Island Youth Forum, and advocate for integrated education.
Richard Smart

Cllr Richard Smart

UUP Councillor, Ards and North Down Borough Council
Richard Smart is a dedicated public servant with more than fifteen years of experience in politics and local government. Richard has served as a Councillor for Newtownards since 2014 and was honoured to serve as Mayor of Ards and North Down in 2018–2019. Alongside his council role, Richard has worked extensively within the Northern Ireland Assembly, including as a Researcher and Constituency Manager. He is passionate about community development, regeneration, and preserving local heritage, with a strong commitment to improving outcomes for the people he represents.

Carly Rodgers

Monitoring Officer, Northern Ireland Alternatives
Carly Rodgers is a restorative justice practitioner with Northern Ireland Alternatives. Carly has fifteen years of experience in delivering community-based interventions that foster inclusion, accountability, and positive change. She holds a degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice and a Postgraduate Certificate in Restorative Practices from Ulster University. Passionate about restorative approaches, Carly is committed to building positive relationships, repairing harm, and strengthening communities through effective programme delivery and evaluation.
Phil Robinson

Phil Robinson

Chief Inspector, PSNI

Phil Robinson joined the Police Service of Northern Ireland in 2009 and has worked in a range of local policing roles and for a number of years as a Missing Person subject matter expert. Phil is currently the Chief Inspector for Operations in Belfast. Phil has participated in the design and implementation of a range of partnership protocols for policing involving a variety of statutory agencies, and has always sought to ensure human rights considerations are in the very centre of any decision-making.

Harriett Roberts

Director of Growth and Engagement, Simon Community
Harriett Roberts is Director of Growth and Engagement at the Simon Community, Northern Ireland’s largest homelessness organisation, where she leads fundraising, communications, and public affairs activity. With more than two decades of experience in the charity and NGO sector, Harriett has worked with a wide range of organisations across the UK and internationally. She is passionate about social justice and creating positive change for individuals and communities. Her career has included roles with Oxfam, ShelterBox, Alzheimer’s Society, and MAG (Mines Advisory Group). In 2025, Harriett was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant for County Antrim.

Bronagh Ramsden

Chief of Staff, Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery
Bronagh Ramsden is a senior public sector leader with extensive experience in strategic planning, governance, transformation, and corporate leadership across Northern Ireland’s public services. Currently serving as Chief of Staff at the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery, Bronagh provides strategic support while driving organisational effectiveness and governance. She has previously held senior roles within the Education Authority and Department for Communities, leading large-scale programmes, policy development, digital transformation, and service improvement initiatives. Bronagh holds an MBA from The Open University and combines legal, educational, and leadership expertise with a strong track record of delivering complex organisational change and public value.

Dr Frances Neilson

Policy Analyst (European Union and Northern Ireland), the House of Lords Northern Ireland Scrutiny Committee
Dr Frances Neilson is the dedicated Policy Analyst in the Secretariat that supports the Northern Ireland Scrutiny Committee (NISC) in the House of Lords. The NISC has responsibility for considering matters relating to the implementation of the Windsor Framework on Ireland/Northern Ireland, including scrutiny of European and domestic legislation. Frances provides analysis and briefings to the Committee for its work. She has a background in public affairs, having worked in agencies in London and Belfast. Frances holds a PhD in Politics from Queen’s University Belfast and a Master’s in Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of St Andrews.

Glen Miller

Director, D A Miller & Sons Transport Ltd
Glen Miller is a business leader and community advocate from Claudy. With nearly two decades of senior management experience across transport, property, and distribution, Glen brings strong expertise in leadership, financial planning, and business development. Alongside his business career, he has a long record of voluntary service through the Boys’ Brigade and school governance, and now plays an active role in politics in East Londonderry for the UUP. Glen is committed to practical, positive leadership, strengthening local communities, and delivering clear, solution-focused representation for the people he serves.