Dr. Ann Potter - Chair 
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A chairde,

I was born and brought up in Manchester to Irish-born parents, who met after emigrating to England - my mother from County Tipperary and my father from County Wexford. 

I am proud of my Irish heritage, and it is a very important part of my identity. 

Professionally I have previously held various roles in social work, and latterly I was a social work academic at Manchester Metropolitan University. I am currently working as a freelance academic and researcher. 

On a voluntary basis I have held governance roles for many years, on several boards and committees across different sectors. 

I have been a Trustee of Irish Community Care Manchester for 3 years and during that time it has been a pleasure to be able to use my skills and experience in safeguarding and governance to contribute to the work of the ICCM charity. 

I am honoured to have been elected by my fellow Trustees to serve as Chair of the Board of Trustees for ICCM.

As Chair, I look forward to working with the Board, the CEO, the staff team and volunteers, our partners and stakeholders, and all in our diverse Irish community, to continue the positive growth and development of the ICCM charity, whilst promoting our ICCM values of ‘care, culture and community’.

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Michael Gorman​ - Vice Chair

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Although I have lived most of my life in Greater Manchester and Cheshire, I am very proud of my Irish roots and heritage, coming from a farming family in County Laois, and County Sligo on my mother’s side. I am currently Vice Chair of Irish Community Care Manchester and the Manchester Irish Education Group plus I’m a director of the Irish World Heritage Centre. I am also a member and keen supporter of the Manchester Irish Language Group.

With a background in the print and media industries I was laterally employed as a Senior Academic at MMU. I am currently Deputy Leader of Cheshire East Council and Chair of the Economy & Growth Committee.

I am a strong advocate for the third sector and have been, and am, a board member of several charities. I was a trustee of the Prince’s Trust North West, and also Chair of Fairbridge in Greater Manchester, a national charity which worked with young inner-city adults to get them into jobs and training. 

As Vice Chair, I look forward to supporting Ann and the Board, Patrick and the staff team and volunteers, to continue to provide the vital range of services for the Irish community in Manchester.

Le dea-ghuí

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​Brendan Hegarty - Treasurer​​

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Born and raised in Dublin Brendan moved to Manchester in 2001. Brendan works for NatWest Social & Community Capital providing social investment to charities and social enterprises. Brendan also sits on the investment committee for Manchester based social lender GMCVO. Brendan is the treasurer for ICCM and chairs the Financial Sub Committee using his knowledge and skills to support with the financial management for ICCM. 

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Sinead Barry - Secretary

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Born in Sligo and grew up in Dublin I have been a resident of Manchester for the past 20 years. I have a successful career in management and recruitment and currently work as Director for a recruitment business covering the Northwest and Northeast of England. I am responsible for recruiting HR professionals and manage a small team. Previously I worked for a global recruitment business as a Regional Director - that role saw me manage a large team and gain valuable experience in change and business management. I also volunteer as a Governor and an Enterprise Advisor. 

I have been a Trustee of ICCM since December 2025 and I am delighted to be have been given this opportunity. I am passionate about Ireland and with my Irish background it is a pleasure be working with a charity that supports the Irish communities across Manchester.

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​Geraldine Vesey

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Geraldine Vesey was born in Manchester to parents from Mayo and Roscommon. Starting her career at Brent Irish Advisory Service in London where she wrote the first Irish in Britain Directory, Geraldine has maintained a keen interest in issues impacting the Irish diaspora.  Geraldine brings her communication and marketing skills to the board of trustees where she chairs the Governance Sub-Committee.

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​Barbara Aherne​

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I was born in Withington Hospital on Sunday 26/12/1943. I lived in St. Kentigern’s parish until I was 17. I was educated at the Hollies Convent FCJ in the Junior school and in the Grammar school. I worked for a stockbroker from 1962 until 1965, working out contracts.

I married in 1964 and spent years bringing up my family. I became a qualified Irish ceili teacher in 1997 and used to take dancers to ICCM to entertain occasionally on Wednesday afternoons.

I worked for a GP practice in Lance Burn HC from 1980 until 2001, then the practice was transferred to Claremont and Pendleton medical centres. I took early retirement in2006 but carried on as part time receptionist until the present now dealing with the Patient Participation group (PPG).

I became a trustee for ICCM and was secretary and treasurer for some years. I also still teach set dancing and ceili for adults.

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Noel Russel

 

​Noel grew up on a farm in County Waterford and after working and studying in Dublin, Galway and New York, came to work at the University of Manchester in 1979, retiring in 2017.  He joined the Board of Trustees at ICCM in 2019 and currently acts as Secretary for the Board and is a member of the Governance Sub-Committee.

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Martin Connolly

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