LEGAL ISLAND - Key Persons
Ali joined the company in May 2021 as Content Writer. Ali's day to day role involves writing course content from idea generation to completion, reviewing customer sourced materials, extracting core elements of importance, and developing the written or verbal content for eLearning courses. Ali is an Associate Member of CIPD.
Anne-Marie joined Legal Island in 2021, to take up the role of Events Executive. As former Technical Manager for Seamus Heaney HomePlace, Anne-Marie will be bringing those technical skills to deliver Legal Island events.
Anne-Marie's main responsibilities include working with the Events Team to organise and deliver Legal Island's vast programme of events. Hosting events on the day, Anne-Marie ensures all delegates get the true first class Legal Island experience and looking after all their needs.
Job Titles:
- Learning Production Executive
Arnold joined Legal Island in 2009 and is responsible for designing, developing and deploying of our eLearning courses and working with clients developing bespoke courses.
Barbara joined the team in 2015 and is responsible for the accounts function of Legal Island. With a background in finance and credit control, Barbara ensures all outstanding monies are received in a timely fashion, keeping the company's credit risk to a minimum.
Job Titles:
- CEO
- BEM Chairman
- CEO ) BEM
Barry Phillips (CEO) BEM founded Legal Island in 1998. Since then, the company has become the leading workplace compliance training company in the island of Ireland. He was awarded a British Empire Medal in the New Year's Honours List 2020 for services to employment and equality.
Barry is a qualified barrister, coach and meditator and a regular speaker both here and abroad. He also volunteers as mentor to aspiring law students on the Migrant Leaders Programme.
Barry is an author, releasing his latest book titled 'Mastering Small Business Employee Engagement: 30 Quick Wins & HR Hacks from an IIP Platinum Employer' in 2020 along with Legal Island MD Jayne Gallagher - you can view the Kindle Version here.
Barry has worked at the European Parliament, the European Court of Human Rights and the International Labour Organisation in Geneva before qualifying as a lawyer in 1993.
He has travelled extensively and lived in a total of eight different countries considering himself to be a global citizen first, a European second and British/Irish citizen last of all. His guiding mantra in life is "Never react but respond. Get curious not furious."
Barry is an Ironman and lists Russian language and wild camping as his favourite pastimes.
Carleen joined Legal Island as the Hub Administrator in November 2023. Her role is to look after the day-to-day running of the Employment Law Hub, helping customers manage their subscriptions and taking care of any customer queries.
Christine joined Legal Island in June 2021 and is a qualified (now non-practising) employment solicitor with 18 years' experience in the legal and voluntary sectors, as a solicitor and paralegal, in both London and Northern Ireland. She trained at leading London human rights firm Bindmans LLP and qualified into their employment and discrimination department, before joining the BBC's in-house employment law team. Christine subsequently worked at LHS Solicitors representing members of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) before taking a career break to run her own small business. Her return to law saw her join the Law Centre (NI) as interim Head of Employment law.
Job Titles:
- Marketing and Communications Manager
Ciara joined Legal Island in 2022 and heads up the company's marketing department. Reporting to the managing director, Ciara is responsible for managing and developing Legal Island's marketing strategy for Events, ELearning and the Employment Law Hub.
Ciara has been in marketing for almost 20 years and brings a breadth of experience, having worked across the publishing, arts management and hospitality industries. Outside of work, Ciara enjoys reading, travelling, and spending time with her kids.
Job Titles:
- ELearning Client Executive
- ELearning Sales Manager
- Learning Sales Manager
Debbie joined the company in March 2011. As Legal Island's eLearning Client Executive, Debbie heads up all sales of eLearning and manages the eLearning support team.
As Office Manager Donna's role is large and varied, covering everything from buying the birthday buns to carrying out the risk assessments, staff management, recruitment and induction of new staff. and the daily running of the office. With Legal Island since 2008, Donna has a passion for helping people and feels her role at Legal Island helps channel this passion, keeping our employees happy within our office environment.
Job Titles:
- Learning Marketing Officer
Georgia joined the team in December 2022 as Marketing Officer for eLearning. Georgia will work closely with the Marketing and Communications Manager, as well as with departments across the company, to create and run engaging marketing campaigns to reach our target audience and attract new customers. Coming from a background in digital marketing, Georgia is excited to bring her creative flair and wide skillset to the role to help the growth of Legal Island.
Outside of work, Georgia loves the outdoors and spending time with friends and family. She's often cooking up a storm for her vegan food blog, Life Without Meat, or making something special at GMG Creative.
Job Titles:
- ELearning Client Executive
- Learning Client Executive
Glen joined the company in April 2018. As Legal Island's eLearning Client Executive, Glen is responsible for all eLearning revenue generation along with account management for our clients in the Republic of Ireland.
Job Titles:
- Finance Manager
- Member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants
James is a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, and has been with the company since 2006 heading up the finance function. Reporting to the Managing Director, James is responsible for providing financial information and analysis to enhance value, communication and trust within Legal Island.
Job Titles:
- Managing Director
- Managing Director Drives the Company
Jayne joined Legal Island in 2008 and as Managing Director drives the company's strategic vision. With a passion for people and culture, Jayne is responsible for managing the team and the company towards continued growth and profitability.
Jayne is also an author, releasing her first book titled 'Mastering Small Business Employee Engagement: 30 Quick Wins & HR Hacks from an IIP Platinum Employer' in 2020 alongside Legal Island Chairman Barry Phillips - you can view the Kindle Version here.
Julie Holmes is an HR Professional who joined the Knowledge team at Legal Island in June 2022. Using her extensive experience in Human Resources and L&D to help organisations attain key strategic objectives, Julie enjoyed the challenges of working across a range of sectors. She is an Associate Member of the CIPD. In her spare time, Julie is an enthusiastic gardener and member of the Irish Garden Plant Society. She is also a fan of scary movies (the parts she sees from behind a cushion anyway!)
Julie has worked for Legal Island since 2009. Her responsibilities include ensuring day to day tasks are carried out in the Finance department from processing and paying supplier invoices to reconciling bank accounts and assisting the company accountant in the preparation of monthly accounts.
Job Titles:
- Business Transformation Partner
Kellie joined Legal Island more than 20 years ago and other than some time away to explore other adventures and care for her family, she has worked in every department in the company. With a passion for innovation and business development, Kellie's inhouse experience includes managing the email service, organising events, delivering webinars, writing & designing eLearning courses and organising the inaugural diversity gala.
Qualified as an Associate CIPD in Learning & Development with a specialism in Digital Technologies, Kellie has recently developed Legal Island's new product Appli LMS and is currently delivering an exciting L&D initiative in Legal Island.
Job Titles:
- Head
- Head of Knowledge Team
Kerry joined the company in 2008 and has worked in various roles during her time with Legal Island. Currently as Head of Knowledge Team Kerry takes primary responsibility for the performance of the Knowledge Team: for ensuring the company produces high quality products across all revenue streams, efficiently and effectively, maximising profitability and growth for Legal Island.
Laura joined Legal Island as a Knowledge Partner in January 2023.Prior to that she worked as an employment law and dispute resolution solicitor with Eugene F. Collins (now Addleshaw Goddard LLP), A&L Goodbody Dublin & Belfast and as an In-House Employment Counsel Secondee at Google.
Laura is also a qualified personal and executive coach, yoga and mindfulness teacher.
Job Titles:
- ELearning Support Executive
- Learning Support Executive
Louise joined Legal Island in 2015. As the company's eLearning Support Executive, Louise provides technical support to customers using our eLearning courses, from on boarding right to through to course completion, general upkeep of our Moodle site and dealing with customer queries.
Job Titles:
- Knowledge Team Administrator
Maria joined Legal Island in 2022 and works with the Knowledge Team. She lives on the North Coast, has recently taken up surfing and is totally addicted to football. She has a strong interest in employment law and enjoys helping others.
Peter joined Legal Island in 2010 and took on the new role of Business Sytems Manager in 2023. Reporting to the Managing Director, Peter is responsible for overseeing Legal Islands core business systems, including administration, maintenance and development..
Sara joined the Legal Island team in January 2023 as Events Marketing Officer. Sara works closely with the Marketing and Communications Manager, and the events team, to plan, create and implement campaigns to ensure our target audience learn about our events and how they will benefit them or their team.
Sara is a Marketing Creative, with a wealth of experience in marketing, publishing, editorial and design. Outside of work, Sara's favourite things to do are spend time with her family, getting outside with her scruffy terrier, and drinking copious amounts of coffee while planning her next adventure.
Sarah's experience in managing global events for over a decade has honed her ability to juggle multiple tasks and responsibilities. She is highly organised and understands the importance of meticulous planning. In her role as Events Manager, Sarah brings her extensive experience in managing logistics and operations. With an eye for identifying branding opportunities, she ensures that every event aligns with the business objectives and messaging.
Job Titles:
- Business Systems Executive
Vanessa has been with Legal Island since 2008 after moving to NI from London. Her responsibility is assisting with business systems including the website, finance and customer relationship management systems.
Victoria is an HR Professional who joined the Knowledge team at Legal Island in October 2023. She previously worked for a boutique HR Consultancy firm in Belfast for 5 years where she worked with local businesses and cross-border companies. She supported clients on a wide variety of projects and day to day operational issues, from employee relations (absence, conduct, grievance and performance management) to rationalisation and large change projects. She is an Associate Member of the CIPD and holds a Level 3 accreditation in conflict management and mediation with experience as a joint and individual mediator. In her personal time, she enjoys crafting, reading various books for her book club, and volunteering with a mental health charity.