Our Senior Team
Agnes is co-founder and Chief Executive of the Positive Futures Group, which includes Positive Futures NI, Positive Futures Ireland and the National Association of Housing for the Visually Impaired (NAHVI) which became part of the Positive Futures Group in 2022.
In 2005 she was awarded an OBE for her contribution to improving the lives of people with a learning disability in Northern Ireland. In 2022 she was awarded an honorary doctorate from Ulster University.
Agnes is active in a wide range of working groups and health and social care forums aimed at improving the experience of all our citizens.
When not working she enjoys books, music, Pilates, and gardening.
Paul’s career has been dedicated to working with people with an intellectual disability and/or autism. He has worked in the north west of England as well as across the island of Ireland.
He was the Acting Service Manager in the service which led to the foundation of Positive Futures in 1995. Since then, he has been a key figure in the development of the organisation and its services and led the expansion into the Republic of Ireland in 2015.
Paul has a particular interest in research, advocacy, assistive technology and positive behaviour support.
Outside work, he has a keen interest in environmental issues and has been working on a rewilding project on his smallholding in the west Fermanagh/south Donegal area.
Chris, who joined Positive Futures in 2022, is an Experienced HR Leader and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). His primary focus is on supporting the organisation to become an employer of choice in the sector. He also has responsibility for both our IT and Marketing departments.
Chris has worked in a number of organisations in the Public and Charity sectors. His keen interest in supporting people with learning disabilities and autism extends beyond his professional role – he volunteers in his spare time.
He enjoys travelling, hiking in the Mournes and relaxing in the coffee shops of the north coast.
Jo, who began her career as an Educational Psychologist in England, joined Positive Futures in 2007 as a Family Services Manager and became a member of the Directors Team in 2015. She has worked as Operations Director, Interim HR Director, and Corporate Services Director. She says her time with Positive Futures has given her the proudest moments of her career.
Jo leads a small but dynamic Corporate Services Team with a wide remit including corporate planning, risk management, contract compliance, quality improvement, and corporate grant applications. She also leads on our Positive Green Strategy, having completed Carbon Literacy Training and an Open University micro-credential in climate change, organisational change, and long-term sustainability.
In her spare time, she enjoys yoga, wild swimming, camper van trips, music, reading and gardening.
Before joining Positive Futures in February 2024 as Finance Director, John held senior finance roles in organisations operating within the not-for-profit, NHS and private sectors. Before his career change to finance in 2006, he worked as a research scientist for over 10 years, including seven years in Cambridge focusing on cancer therapies.
John is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and has a BSc.(Hons) in Biochemical Sciences.
Kerry is Director of Operations for Positive Futures Ireland. She began her career in Health and Social Care in 2004 after achieving a BSc Hons degree in Applied Psychology. She started out as a Support Worker in our Northern Ireland operation before a series of promotions (Deputy Service Manager, Service Manager and Operations Manager) led her to her current role in 2023. Kerry is passionate about delivering services that ensure people can live the life they want, achieving their individual goals and aspirations. She has a particular interest in person-centred practices, positive behaviour management, inclusion, and diversity.
Outside work, Kerry enjoys keeping fit and spending time abroad.