Employment Law Seminars - Legal-Island
About Us
Legal-Island
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Employment Law Ireland Legal-Island is a multi-award winning employment law training and information company working in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. We specialise in all matters relevant to today's work force in both jurisdictions. Each year we call on the services of more than 100 lawyers and HR experts to deliver large conferences, seminars and in-house training, addressing key developments relevant to the world of work. Our employment law email service is written by top law firms and is now relied on by hundreds of organisations throughout the Island of Ireland to keep abreast of important developments relating to labour law. |
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Legal-Island are members of Rospa and a number of staff including two company directors are Advanced Drivers. As of March 2010, Legal-Island are also corporate members of the Association for Coaching. In January 2011, the company was awarded the (EFQM) Mark of Excellence Award at the prestigious Northern Ireland Quality Award Gala Ceremony. This award recognises organisations that have demonstrated excellence in their overall business performance. To find out more about Legal-Island visit our company blog. We'll keep you up to date on what's happening within the company, who we're meeting and networking with and any events that may be of interest to you. |
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In June 2010 we scooped three 'Highly Commended' Awards at the Irish News Workplace & Employment Awards in the categories; 'Best Place To Work,' 'Innovative Employer' and 'Managing Talent.'
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Legal-Island is fully recognised as an Investors in People organisation.
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Employee Profiles
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Name:
Barry Phillips Position:
CEO Biography:
Barry qualified as a barrister in 1993 and worked first in criminal law in London. Later he specialised in employment law in Northern Ireland and Ireland. He has worked at the European Parliament, the European Court of Human Rights and the ILO in Geneva. He has a PhD from the University of Glasgow and an MBA from the University of Ulster. He's also a MII Certifed Mediator and a member of the Advanced Institute of Drivers.
Barry was born in St Helens Lancashire but ended up a badminton & tennis star at school rather than a rugby league man.
Barry was sacked from his first ever job as a paperboy for requesting a 20p increase in his weekly wage to £2.50p.
He can memorise a pack of playing cards in under 5 minutes. Ask him to do it next time you see him and be ready to donate £10 to our Malawi charity if he manages it...
In his spare time however he still dreams of his centre court clash with Bjorn Borg that never was.
To keep up with Barry why not access his personal blog or Twitter?
View Barry's training portfolio
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Name:
Jayne Finlay Position:
Managing Director Biography:
Jayne was born and brought up in Northern Ireland although she lived abroad in Scotland for a while. She graduated from The University of Edinburgh with a 2.1 MA (Hons) in Business Studies.
Jayne continued her studies after leaving University and qualified with a Professional Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing from The Chartered Institute of Marketing.
As an advanced driver you won't catch her driving the wrong way around a roundabout but you might catch her going the wrong way to Dublin!
Jayne's a gym bunny in her spare time although she likes to do her bit to counteract the credit crunch by shopping as much as she can.
View Jayne's training portfolio
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Name:
Scott Alexander Position:
Head of Training & Development Biography:
Scott is the writer of the weekly review of developments employment law email updates and designs and chairs most of Legal-Island’s employment law and HR events. He is a regular facilitator at workshops on discipline and performance in the workplace. He is also the organiser of the HR Network.
Before coming to Northern Ireland in 1990, he worked in Scotland in industrial relations. His duties included drafting and developing policies and procedures, negotiating with trade union representatives and advising departments on HR issues and council policies.
Before joining Legal-Island in 2006, Scott worked at the Labour Relations Agency for some 14 years. His duties over the period included individual and collective conciliation, advisory services, training officer, partnership working and managing the enquiry point team. As arbitration secretary he organised the majority of appeals, arbitrations and mediation hearings run under the auspices of the LRA. He was also a senior NIPSA trade union lay official and represented staff at management/union negotiating committees, disciplinary hearings etc. So, Scott has seen disputes from just about every angle and at every stage and values early resolution over litigation almost every time.
Scott is a member of the CIPD and the Mediators’ Institute of Ireland
View Scott's training portfolio
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Name:
Ainsley Hirst Position:
Marketing & Sales Manager Biography:
Born and brought up in Leicester, Ainsley graduated from the University of Northumbria with a BA (Hons) in Business Studies with Marketing. With over 12 years of subsequent Marketing experience, Ainsley has worked in a number of different industries and sectors including retail, construction, market research, advertising, design and utilities.
In his spare time Ainsley plays football and counteracts the exercise by socialising regularly with friends.
View Ainsley's training portfolio
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Name:
Kerry Taggart Position:
Conference Manager NI Biography:
Kerry was born and brought up in "the counry" in a wee village called Halftown between Doagh and Ballymena. She Graduated from the University of Ulster with a 2:1 BA (Hons) in Busines Studies and Japanese.
As a child she belonged to the local girls brigade and won so many badges she had to have a uniform with extra long sleeves by the time she left.
In her spare time she likes to read, watch old black & white films, shop or spend time with family and friends and is currently teaching herself to juggle!
View Kerry's training portfolio
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Name:
Heather Stewart Position:
Conference Manager ROI Biography:
Heather received her 2.1 in BA (Hons) Hospitality Management along with a Diploma in Industrial Studies from the University of Ulster in June 2007. She has recently been promoted to Conference Manager for the Republic of Ireland.
She joined Legal-Island in October 2008 from the Hilton Group. Her claim to fame is that she once did room service for the Dali Lama.
Heather's favourite film is Top Gun though Officer and a Gentleman is a close second. She enjoys more leisurely past-times such as shopping and socialising with friends.
Since joining Legal-Island Heather has passed her Advanced Diploma in Management Practice with Parity
View Heather's training profile
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Name:
Peter Fitzpatrick Position:
Marketing Officer Biography:
Peter graduated from the University of Ulster, Jordanstown with a 2:1 BSc (Hons) in Business Studies in 2008. Brought up in Belfast, Peter enjoys almost every sport going, but mostly playing football (and supporting Leeds United). His idea of relaxation is watching football, travelling abroad and even the occassional visit to the gym.
View Peter's training portfolio
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Name:
Peter Gilpin Position:
Marketing Officer Biography:
Brought up just outside Coleraine, Peter graduated from the University of Northumbria with a BA (Hons) in International Business Management. Peter enjoys travelling, sports and playing golf on the local links courses.
His greatest moment was watching Ireland beat Wales at the Millennium Stadium in 2009 to win the rugby Grand Slam. What a day!
View Peter Gilpin's Training Portfolio.
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Name:
Pamela Park Position:
Marketing Officer Biography:
Pamela holds a first class honours degree in Communication Advertising and Marketing and Diploma in Professional Practice with commendation.
Pamela was brought up in Islandmagee, a peninsula on the east coast of County Antrim near Larne. She grew up with one sister, one brother and a black Labrador called Millie. In her teens she cut quite a figure driving a red convertible Citroen Diane and life she says has never been quite as good since. Stuck for a lift she once drove her husband's tractor to work. Now she arrives in style in her own VW.
Pamela is currently on maternity leave.
View Pamela's training portfolio
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Name:
Allison Sutherland Position:
Customer Relationship Consultant Biography:
Allison was born and brought up in the North East of England but has lived in Northern Ireland since the mid 1990’s.
She previously worked as a business consultant to Councils, GP’s, sporting organisations, radio stations, Government bodies and publishers. Oh, and one of the “Dragons” but Allison isn't fierce, she’s a pussy cat.
Allison tells us that what she does here is work, however, it seems to us that she simply chats on the phone all day. She’s also implementing some new systems to help us communicate with our clients in the most effective way.
When she’s not working she likes to grow her own vegetables and promote rock bands. She also claims to have been given 2 Blue Peter badges. One as a runner up in a Keep Britain Tidy competition and the other for writing a grovelling letter - she was 36 at the time!
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Name:
James Dyer Position:
Finance Biography:
James has been with Legal-Island since August 2006. As a company accountant with many years' experience in the distribution industry, throughout Ireland, he has helped co-ordinate the successful growth of the company over recent years.
Aside from his keen interest in figures, James claims to have a talent for most racket sports, and many years ago was a bit of a crack shot with a rifle. These days though he prefers to go to the gym when he's not injured playing football.View James's training portfolio
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Name:
Jacqui McCaughan Position:
Credit Control Biography:
Jacqui comes to Legal-Island after spending numerous years with the Home Office. She is in charge of the company's credit control function (part-time).
Jacqui was brought up in County Tipperary but now lives in Randalstown with her husband Joe and two children.
She enjoys walking and listening to music especially the Mull of Kintyre by Wings which was her first record.
A former long jump champion Jacqui's greatest claim to fame is that she is a distant cousin of Boy George.
View Jacqui's training portfolio
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Name:
John Hardy Position:
Email Service Manager Biography:
John is from sunny Costa del Newcastle in County Down, but currently lives in Belfast. He graduated from Queens University with a degree in Law and Politics and has a Masters in History and Politics.He previously worked for Legal-Island as a Marketing Officer in Autumn 2010 and has returned to take over as Email Service Manager while Julie is on maternity leave.John spends his free time back at home in the Mourne mountains, hiking and cycling, and has even been known to attend football matches even though he has never played himself.His claim to fame is that he once met former US President Bill Clinton. -
Name:
Julie McCloskey Position:
Email Service Manager & Finance Assistant Biography:
Julie manages our Email Service and also works in the company finance department. She's currently working towards her first qualification in finance under the watchful eye of the finance manager.
Julie glides around the office and remains calm and composed at all times. Nothing seems to make her flap except possibly the thought of a night in having to watch the football with her partner.
In 2010, Julie passed her IATI Accounts Technician Qualification with a distinction!
View Julie' training portfolio
Jullie is currently on Maternity Leave.
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Name:
Donna Kirkpatrick Position:
Office Manager Biography:
Donna is the Office Manager at Legal-Island.
When she was young she knew she was destined for greatness when she won a writing competition at primary school to Bernie Winters and his dog Snorbitz.
Brought up in the blooming village of Broughshane, the “Garden village of Ulster” she now lives with her husband, two children Tom aged 4 and Emily 2 down on the farm.
A former Ballymena Hockey star Donna now likes to relax by socialising with friends, reading funny Irish novels and doing pilates! Currently reading War & Peace Donna's claim to fame is that she is related to the very man who introduced turnips into Peru! Strange but true!
Watch my recent appearance as a panel guest at the 2011 Business In The Community Workplace 20:20 Conference - View video
View Donna's training portfolio
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Name:
Vanessa Porter Position:
Senior Administrator Biography:
Vanessa currently has two men in her life. One her husband James. The other is Brady their golden retriever dog. It is said that both compete for her attention when she finishes work.
Vanessa currently holds the Northern Ireland record for plate spinning managing to keep an impressive 48 going for five whole minutes.
View Vanessa's training portfolio
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Name:
Debbie Wilson Position:
Administrator Biography:
Debbie is the newest member of the team and works on a Monday, Tuesday and half day on a Friday. Born and raised a short distance from 'The Island,' Debbie got married to Cliff in Central Park, New York City, in 2008 and is mum to Joshua. Debbie enjoys trips to the park with Joshua and shopping for handbags, whether they're needed or not! Her claim to fame is that she once met Bev from Corrie in the Europa Hotel bathrooms.
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Name:
Phyllis McMahon Position:
PA to CEO Biography:
Behind every great man there's a great woman...Phyllis is responsible for keeping our CEO on the road.
Phyllis was born in Co Tyrone, educated in Co. Armagh and now lives and works in Co Antrim.
She once met Judith Chalmers and Nicolas Parsons at a dinner. The food apparently was really good.
In her spare time Phyllis likes to read thriller novels, potter in her garden and go to the pictures to see all the latest movies.
Her two lovely grand-children live in Britain whom she visits whenever she can.
The first record she ever bought was Tie a yellow ribbon round the old oak tree. Does anyone remember it?!
View Phyllis's training portfolio
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Name:
Sharon Simpson Position:
Housekeeper Biography:
Sharon joined Legal Island in September 2010 and has been a great asset to the housekeeping department. Customers who use our training facilities can testify how well she looks after them, but Sharon has good practice at looking after people.
Married to William, their 3 children keep her busy when she is not looking after the Legal-Island employees and colleagues.
In her spare time (if she has any) she spends time with the other man in her life “Toby” the family pet and there is nothing she enjoys more than coffee with the girls.
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Name:
Arnold Majcher Position:
Careman & Conference Assistant Biography:
Arnold is the Careman and Conference Assistant for Legal-Island. He came to Northern Ireland in March 2005 and joined the company in September 2009. He has previous experience in conferences within hotels in Italy.
If Arnold had been in the film The Great Escape he would have played the role of The Fixer for there is nothing this man cannot fix - usually with a hair clip or coat hanger wire.
View Arnold's Training Portfolio
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Name:
Christina Position:
Hen Biography:
Christina is the highest in the pecking order and therefore she's team captain. Christina makes the rules. She's rule the roost. Cross her at your peril.
Her eggs are fabulous - they make a perfect omelette!
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Name:
Beata Position:
Hen Biography:
Beata is the glamour girl in the pack. She always last up, longest to get ready and forever checking her reflection in the water trough. High maintenance or what?
Her eggs are fabulous - they make a perfect omelette!
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Name:
Britney Position:
Hen Biography:
Britney is the cheeky wee thing of the house. Always up to mischief and was the first to escape and have the CEO chasing her up the road.
Her eggs are fabulous - they make a perfect omelette!
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Name:
Henrietta Position:
Hen Biography:
Henrietta is our top producer. When it comes to eggs she knows how to fire them out. She hops into the birthing unit and five minutes later she's out wanting dinner. Tough all-rounder!
Her eggs are fabulous - they make a perfect omelette!
