A positive future for politics
A positive future for politics
Executive Director
Dr Gareth McGrath serves as both Director of Parliamentary Services at the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive Director of Politics Plus.
As Director of Parliamentary Services he is responsible for the management of meetings of the Assembly Plenary and its committees, for the official record of proceedings, (Hansard), and for the Assembly’s research, communications, outreach & education services. This includes providing advice to the Speaker, Deputy Speakers, committee chairpersons and Members on parliamentary procedure and practice; and managing the passage of legislation.
As Executive Director of Politics Plus he is responsible for the development of leadership programmes for those involved in politics and public service, and advises on institutional strengthening.
Gareth has extensive experience in leadership and corporate strategy development, programme and project management, and procurement in public sector organisations. He has a particular interest in international issues and is working with parliaments in a number of countries emerging from conflict and instability, including Iraq and the Philippines.
Before joining the Assembly as its first Director of Engagement in 2008, Gareth worked in the chemical industry, management consultancy and the Civil Service. He received his BSc in Biological Chemistry and PhD in Chemistry from Ulster University and MBA from the Open University.
Senior Programme Officer
Carla joined the Northern Ireland Assembly in April 2002 where she worked in support of the Public Accounts Committee on several high profile inquiries.
During suspension of the Assembly (2002 – 2007) she was seconded to DARDNI’s Animal Health section as an Executive Officer.
On her return to the Assembly in 2007 she worked in support of the Standards and Privileges Committee before transferring to Internal Audit where she worked as a Trainee Auditor.
Carla joined Politics Plus in April 2015.
Personal Secretary
Elizabeth Connolly is the Personal Secretary to the Director of Parliamentary Services within the Northern Ireland Assembly.
In addition to this role, she provides programme support to Politics Plus.