Prestigious award for Longford Disabled activist

Drumlish native James is Business Development Executive with the Irish Centre for Diversity where he provides guidance and support for organisations that are looking to move the needle on their D&I journey of continuous improvement.
James co-facilitated the disability studies certificate course at Maynooth University.

He is a member of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) Disability Advisory Committee and featured in their TV, Cinema and Radio campaign “All Human – All Equal”.

James was formerly the Policy Officer for a National Disabled Persons Organisation (DPO) which is led by and for Disabled people.

He graduated with a BA in Business and Geography, a Professional Masters of Education and most recently completed a Level-9 certificate in “Leading Transformative Education” at Maynooth University.

He said he was truly honoured to accept the Business Support Professional of the Year award.

In his acceptance speech, James, highlighted that his journey began when his parents were told “he’d never write” and he was a “bit of bad luck”.

He continued, “I faced barriers too where I was told I shouldn’t, I couldn’t and I wouldn’t by a system and world that wasn’t built for me but I proved that I could, I would and I should follow my dreams and ambitions.”

Being the youngest of nine children, James said he was ‘a bit of a divil for taking risks’.

He outlined, “I qualified as a teacher but dropped the classroom books to venture into a career to professionally support Disabled people to secure their rights at a national level.

“It’s at this point I had the pleasure of meeting the lovely Laura O’Donovan and Caroline Cummins where I was asked to do a few speaking gigs for the Irish Centre for Diversity.

“Little did I realise they’d capture me in a Business Development role thereafter and I’m coming to my first anniversary there!”
James said he truly loves and adores the work the Irish Centre for Diversity does. “I get to go to work everyday ‘as myself’, my opinions, and my lived experience are truly valued. On that note I want to thank my manager Laura and Caroline, our lovely MD for the nomination and to all our colleagues.”

James expressed thanks to Lincoln recruitment for hosting Irish Early Career Awards, to Donna O’Connor for her organisation of an amazing event and the sponsors and judges!

James concluded, “I want to thank my wife Ally for her continuous support throughout my career moves, to my family and friends, especially my big brother Ian and best mate and stand in PA Stephen for being with me every step of the way.”