Meet the Board

Martina was nominated as the Chairperson of Bolster Community Board in 2025 and has served on the board since  inception. She has worked in community development for over 20 years, and has a specific interest in rural development, stakeholder engagement and good relations. Martina has a great personal interest in social enterprise development, and has twice represented NI at the UK Social Enterprise Awards as Chairperson of NI award winning companies. Martina has Postgraduate Qualifications in Management Studies, Community Development Practice, and she is also a qualified mediator with several years of practice within the C&V sector.                                                 

Michael joined the board in 2021 after retiring as Vice Principal of St Colman’s College in Newry with almost 36 years of teaching. He was the leader of the Pastoral Care provision in the school for many years so is well aware of all the problems, challenges and ongoing needs that some families in our community regularly face. His long involvement in education leaves him well-placed to know the importance of the need for support for these families and the impact that such help has to allow the children to fulfil their full potential. Michael has also been involved in setting up a First Responders Charity in his local area.

Paul joined the board in 2012 and was nominated as Vice Chairperson of Bolster Community Board in 2025. A career banker with 30+ years industry experience, Paul has been Branch Manager of Bank of Ireland Armagh for the past 7 years. In addition to his role in SPACE NI he is the current Chairperson of Armagh City Centre Management, Vice Chair of the Business Partnership Alliance for Armagh Banbridge and Craigavon borough and sits on the Board of Armagh City Townscape Heritage Partnership.

Gerry has worked in a series of strategic, policy and operational roles and has been committed to public service delivery throughout his career. At retirement Gerry was responsible for key landlord functions for 90,000 properties including rent collection, allocations, estate management, community safety/cohesion, community development as well as response and grounds maintenance. 

Eamonn joined the Board of Bolster Community in 2018 and was our previous Chairperson of Bolster Community Board (June 2019-Dec 2024). He has a Law Degree, an MBA and is both a Certified Banker and a Certified Data Protection Officer. Eamonn has a wealth of experience in business strategy and operational matters across a range of business sectors. Eamonn is also sits on the Board of Newry Credit Union.

Vinod, had been employed for over twenty years in the Southern Health and Social Services Board, until his recent retirement in 2021. He has been involved, in a voluntary capacity, as a member of the NI Food Standards Agency Advisory Committee and of the Pesticide Advisory Committee (UK). In May 2018 Dr Tohani was appointed as Chair of the Northern Ireland Public Health Medicine Committee of the BMA.