Team

Mike McGing 

Director of BIAS

Michael has over 35 years of experience within both the statutory/voluntary and the corporate sectors in a variety of management roles.  

Mike is passionate about ensuring that the Irish community is not overlooked for services and entitlements, becoming the ‘Forgotten Irish’. A key aspect of the role is ensuring that the BIAS team feel valued, motivated and help those most in need in our community.  

Suzanne Boraston 

Operations Manager

Suzanne is responsible for managing the day-to-day running of the team. She works to support BIAS’s development and sustainability, to make sure that we can continue to deliver the highest-quality support to the Irish community in London.

Before joining BIAS, Suzanne worked for twelve years in a range of project coordination, communication and management roles in international environments, including at the Council of the European Union in Brussels.

Susan Pearce 

Senior Welfare Adviser 

Susan has worked with BIAS for over six years and has gained many amazing outcomes for clients, enabling them to access welfare entitlements and services. She enjoys the one-to-one nature of building a positive relationship with her clients. Before joining BIAS, Susan had worked with Citizens Advice for several years. Susan’s passion is ensuring that all clients get all the benefits that they are entitled to. 

Martyna Turos

Welfare Adviser 

Martyna is a welfare adviser with BIAS, with experience in supporting service users with welfare issues ranging across Universal Credit, Personal Independent Payments and Attendance Allowance, as well as many others.

Having already gained many valuable outcomes for clients, Martyna works closely with service users to advise and empower them to access the welfare services to which they are entitled.

Marie Albalous

Volunteer Manager 

With a background in Migration Studies and experience in the charity sector, Marie oversees the volunteer project at BIAS. Passionate about supporting the local Irish community, she works closely with volunteers to make a meaningful impact.

Outside of work, Marie is an avid sports fan and loves travelling, discovering new places, and embracing different cultures.

Tracey Sweetland

Befriending Coordinator 

Tracey comes from a mixed background of support and care roles in a variety of sectors. With strong Irish roots, Tracey was involved in the world of Irish dancing for forty years, as a dancer, teacher and founder of a dance organisation – until she decided to hang up her shoes, as they say!

Outside of work, you can find Tracey catching up with friends and family, visiting the theatre, reading a book and of course still dancing a jive or waltz on the Irish social dancing scene.

Tracey is keen to make a positive difference through the BIAS befriending scheme.

Maggie Hollowed

Active Ageing Coordinator (Brent)

Maggie has many years of experience delivering a variety of community-based health projects, including fitness classes and events across the borough. She enjoys being able to motivate and encourage participation. 

Maggie runs the two BIAS active ageing clubs and is helping to develop and expand their remit.

Nóra White

Active Ageing Coordinator (Haringey)

Nóra is joining the team as the Active Ageing Coordinator for Haringey. She has been working in Haringey’s community sector since moving to the borough from Dublin two years ago.

Sarah B

Finance Manager

Sarah is a management accountant and has many years of experience in both the corporate and the voluntary sectors. She has worked with BIAS for just a few months and is responsible for ensuring compliance with financial controls and monitoring BIAS grants, alongside the other day-to-day finance operations.