Trustees

Eddie O’Kane

Chair of Trustee Board 

Eddie hails from Derry and has been in London since 1994. Eddie successfully set up O’Kane Irish Foods 2003 and YourIrishShop.com in 2006, which provides traditional Irish food brands to meet the needs of both businesses and the Irish community. Eddie has strong and successful business acumen and also has a great passion for education, sitting on the board of a number of schools.

Jarlath O’Hara

Board of Trustees – Treasurer

Jarlath is CEO of Performance Consulting and provides strategic business support, creating the tools for success. He holds an Executive MBA and the Investors in People gold award. Jarlath provides a range of services including business development, strategies and impact evaluation. Jarlath is a keen sportsperson and in his spare time enjoys endurance cycling, marathon running and triathlons. Jarlath is proud of his Irish connections.

Kay Boland 

Board of Trustees 

Kay is a volunteer with our Active Ageing Thursday club, which helps to feed into the planning and delivery of our community services. Kay had for many years worked in banking and enjoys art. 

Mairead Liston 

Board of Trustees 

Mairead is a transformational leader in the homecare sector, dedicating over 40 years to improving lives. Her impact on clients, nurses, carers and her team has been profound. Mairead is the founder of Cavendish Homecare and qualified as a nurse in 1977.

Mairead was honoured with admission to the Livery of the Worshipful Company of Nurses, a prestigious honour recognising nursing excellence and her commitment to promoting the profession within the homecare sector. Mairead has been actively involved in many charities helping with fundraising and is passionate about Irish culture and heritage. Mairead hails from County Monaghan and is also the chair of the Council of Irish Counties, which provides welfare support, and a key organiser of the London St Patrick’s Day parade.

Peter Benson 

Board of Trustees 

Peter travelled over from Kildare in 1986 and lived initially in the Borough of Brent just around the corner from Willesden Green tube station.

Peter is a qualified accountant (FCPA) and currently works for a leading Irish construction recruitment business. Peter is married with two grown-up children. He is passionate about social justice and is involved in the wider Irish community across London.

Ellen Stafford 

Board of Trustees