Pen pictures
Paula Leitch BA (hons) PGCE, DASE, M.Ed PQH(NI)
Paula is a graduate of Queen’s University Belfast and been involved in the education sector for over forty years.
She has experience working as a teacher and assistant principal in a large urban secondary school. Paula also had a period of secondment with the Education Training Inspectorate and participated in the scheme tutoring PGCE students preparing for secondary teaching.
Paula has been a teacher governor of a large secondary school for ten years and a member of the former Belfast Education and Library Board now known as the Education Authority (EA). She has served on a range of committees such as audit and risk, finance and education.
She is currently a member of the CCEA Council and a director of the Controlled Schools Council (not remunerated).
Kim Scott MSc Bed (Hons)
Kim is currently an Assistant Director of Education within the Education Authority.
She is a graduate of Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University, and has over thirty years’ experience working in education, beginning her career as a teacher in a post primary school.
Kim has held several senior positions within the former South Eastern Education and Library Board and the current Education Authority, including as Interim Director of Education. She has extensive experience in school improvement, strategic area planning, community planning, school governance, teacher professional learning and development, and special education.
Kim is a member of the Ards and North Down Strategic Community Planning Partnership and served as Chair for three years. She has also previously been a member of the Governing Body of the South Eastern Regional College, and a Governor on the Board of Bloomfield Collegiate School.
Kim has a keen interest in education and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the board.
Kim does not hold any other public appointments.
Robert Drennan
Robert studied Latin, Greek and Hebrew as an undergraduate at Queen’s University, Belfast, graduating with a BA (Hons). He was a successful applicant for the Home Office Graduate Entry Scheme and worked in the public sector for 35 years, spending 20 years in senior management roles. He completed professional courses in England, Scotland, the Netherlands, USA and Canada. He was a part-time student at Fitzwilliam College, University of Cambridge, obtaining a Master of Studies degree. Latterly he obtained a Master of Science degree in Leadership and Management from QUB, writing his dissertation on ethics and decision making.
Robert does not hold any other public appointments.
Aaron Diver
Aaron Diver is a talent acquisition professional with a proven track record of success in the finance industry. With over 10 years of experience, Aaron has established himself as a respected leader in the field of talent performance management and operations.
Throughout his career, Aaron has developed a deep understanding of the intricacies of talent acquisition and wider HR operations. His extensive knowledge of risk management, process optimisation, and project management has enabled him to consistently deliver superior results for his clients and stakeholders.
With a strong focus on collaboration and team building, Aaron has effectively managed cross-functional teams and fostered an environment of innovation and creativity on a multi-region basis.
Aaron has a bachelor’s degree in law (LLB) from the University of Aberdeen with additional certifications in project management, digital marketing, application development and data science.
Aaron does not hold any other public appointments.
Una Nic Eoin
Una Nic Eoin has been Executive Producer at Prime Cut Productions since 2009. Since then she has produced 26 shows for the company including the multi-award winning Red, Removed, and Scorch all of which also toured internationally.
In addition she has produced Oona Doherty’s critically acclaimed internationally touring dance work Hard To Be Soft: A Belfast Prayer across Ireland, the UK and Europe. It remains the only show to simultaneously feature in both the Culture Ireland and British Council International Showcases at Edinburgh International Festival. She has also produced its follow-up Lady Magma in 2019-20.
Prior to this, Una (who has worked in the arts sector since 1992) has been Artist in Residence for Wheelworks, Drama Tutor at the Centre for Performing Arts at Belfast Metropolitan College for four years before becoming Head of Education and Outreach at the Lyric Theatre, Belfast. In 2006 she became Creative Director at Creative Media Partnerships and subsequently Arts Development Officer at Belfast City Council.
Una has delivered presentations at a variety of conferences and events in Belfast, Galway, London, Sarajevo and Edinburgh for organisations that include Creative Europe, Queens University Belfast, National University of Ireland, Theatre NI/Theatre Forum and IPAY Philadelphia. She is a member of IETM. Una was Chair of Ponydance Dance Company from 2014-21 and an Artistic Associate of Streetwise Community Circus from 2008-20.
Una does not hold any other public appointments.
Wilma Fee
Wilma Fee has served education in a number of roles over a 40 year trajectory. Initially, at the University of Ulster, and from 2006 at Queen’s University in senior administrative positions. In her roles as Faculty Administrator for Arts and the Humanities, Head of the Postgraduate Office and, from 2016 as Director of Academic and Student Affairs, she has held a range of senior responsibilities for the academic planning and governance of the institution, international collaborations, as well as managing a staff of over 200 members in the delivery of services to students and the academic community. She has also held lead responsibility for collaboration with the FE/HE sector and the university colleges.
Wilma has also been Chair of the governing body of Wellington College Belfast for over 10 years and remains a member of the board. There is no stipend for the board membership of Wellington College. Her interests naturally lie in the welfare and success of students, the importance of sound academic planning and governance, and the relationship with employers and other stakeholders.
Wilma has recently been appointed to the Governing Body of South Eastern Regional College (SERC) for which there is a stipend of £250 per Board meeting and £125 per sub-committee.
Sam Snodden FCA
Sam is a chartered accountant and lives in Carrickfergus. He trained in a major Belfast firm of chartered accountants before running his own professional accountancy practice. Sam then spent 23 years working in the Health Service in a range of senior finance posts, including Director of Finance for the Southern Health and Social Services Board. Sam was also foremost in the development of corporate governance in the health service for a number of years.
Having taken early retirement in 2010, Sam worked as Finance Officer for the Girls’ Brigade Northern Ireland and was Financial Controller for a local council.
Sam was also a non-executive director with the Consumer Council Northern Ireland, and chaired their Audit and Risk Assurance Committee. Sam was also an independent member of the NI Chest Heart and Stroke Association’s Audit and Risk Committee.
As a Governor for Belfast Metropolitan College from December 2015, Sam is Chair of the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee and a member of the Human Resources Committee as well as being a Director for Springvale Educational Village Limited. Sam receives remuneration of £250 for a Governing Body meeting and £150 for a committee meeting or event sanctioned by the Chair.
Outside of work Sam was involved as a member of a number of committees for the Chartered Accountants Ireland Ulster Society and was Chair of their public sector group. Sam is a keen amateur photographer and plays guitar mainly in church praise bands.
Sam does not hold any other public appointments.