CSSC Staff

Barry Mulholland 
Chief Executive

Barry Mulholland is a highly experienced educationalist, who previously served as Chief Executive of the Western Education and Library Board.

More recently, Barry assumed the role of Regional Managing Director of the Education Authority, officially acting as Accounting Officer for both the former Western and North Eastern Education and Library Board areas. 

Email
Telephone: 028 9531 3030

Tracy McLoughlin 
Executive Assistant to Chief Executive

Having graduated with an MSSc in Organisation and Management from Queen’s University in 2006 and with a background in administration for a statutory body, Tracy brings a range of experience to the Controlled Schools’ Support Council.  

As well as providing support to the Chief Executive and the Council itself, Tracy oversees the senior clerical support team.

Email
Telephone: 028 9531 3031

Jayne Millar
Head of Education Support

Joining CSSC was the perfect fit for Jayne, a Stranmillis graduate.  A former teacher and Vice Principal, Jayne joined the NEELB in 2002 gaining experience as Primary Officer and Assistant Senior Education Officer.

Before joining CSSC, Jayne was a member of EA’s Children and Young People’s Services senior team.

Email
Telephone: 028 9531 3035

Tracey Woods
School Support Officer

Having graduated from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, Tracey taught History and Government and Politics for 15 years.

Tracey has been an examiner for WJEC and CCEA.  More recently, she assisted with the revision of GCSE and A-Level specifications, and oversaw the introduction of CCEA’s new GCSE Government and Politics qualification. 

Email
Telephone: 028 9531 3042

Jill Brown
School Support Officer

Jill has over 30 years’ experience in education working both nationally and internationally.  Over the last eleven years she has worked in quality improvement and post-inspection support, including leading national initiatives and international projects.

Jill was the post-16 representative on the Northern Ireland Steering Group for Numeracy (2006 – 2011).

Email
Telephone: 028 9531 3036

Heather McKenzie
School Support Officer

Heather studied at Stranmillis College and graduated in 1993 with BEd(Hons).  Since then she has worked in one village and two rural schools.

Although trained as a key stage 2 teacher, Heather has taught all primary classes, from reception to primary 7.  She has been a full-time Principal since 2005. 

Email 
Telephone: 028 9531 3048

Andrew Brown
School Support Officer

Andrew has had a rewarding teaching career after graduating from Stranmillis in 1987. He is a former Vice-Principal of a large post-primary school.

Before joining CSSC, Andrew worked as an External Adviser supporting principals in PRSD and as an Executive Coach working with senior management.

Email
Telephone: 028 9531 3039

Derek Harkness
School Support Officer

Derek has worked in primary education for 33 years, as a teacher, ICT Advisory Officer and as Principal in three primary schools.

He has extensive experience in school leadership and school improvement, including development of future leaders through the PQH programme, PRSD training with Governors and assessing trainee teachers.

Email 
Telephone: 028 9531 3030

Sara McCracken
Head of Marketing, Research and Communication

Sara is a Chartered PR practitioner and previously oversaw strategic communications for the Green Party in Northern Ireland, based at Stormont.

Sara has also held a senior management role at the British Medical Association, with responsibility for public affairs and communications, and has worked in the voluntary and agri-rural sectors.

Email
Telephone: 028 9531 3036

Rachel McMenemy
Research and Insight Officer

A researcher with a range of experience, Rachel previously authored a series of research reports focusing on childcare, parental working rights and work-life balance.

She conducted the Northern Ireland Childcare Cost Survey (2010-2016) and contributed to the Reconstituting Democracy in Europe’s international study on Parenting and Democracy in Europe (2011-2012).

Email
Telephone: 028 9531 3046

Colleen Murray
Marketing and Communications Officer

Colleen joins CSSC from Arts & Business NI. 

As External Relations Manager, she had responsibility for communications, website and social media management. Colleen has over 20 years’ experience in communications which she will use to support controlled schools. Colleen holds a BA Hons in Business Studies from Ulster University.

Email
Telephone: 028 9531 3047

Shane McCurdy
Head of Corporate Services 

Shane is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy.

He was Chief Executive of the North Eastern Education and Library Board prior to its dissolution, having previously been its Chief Finance Officer and was the Interim Head of Finance of the Education Authority on its establishment.

Email
Telephone: 028 9531 3034

Jennifer McIlwaine
Corporate Services Officer

Jennifer obtained a Sociology PhD from Queen’s University Belfast in 2012, where she taught a range of Sociology modules and acted as exam moderator.  Jennifer has a background in research, administrative and project roles within the charity sector, central and local government. 

Email
Telephone: 028 9531 3037 

Caroline MacLynn
HR Officer

Caroline has worked within human resources since graduating, gaining a wide range of experience in all aspects of the HR function.  

Most recently, Caroline spent more than 10 years in a management role within the hospitality sector, acting as an advisor to the senior management team.

Email
Telephone: 028 9531 3033

Marianne Duncan
Finance Officer

Marianne is a qualified accountant with over 25 years’ experience.

She has worked in a range of sectors, including the public, private, education and charitable sectors.  Previously, Marianne headed up the Finance and HR Department of a non-departmental public body as part of the senior management team.

Email
Telephone: 028 9531 3032

Ryan McNeill
Senior Clerical Officer

Ryan previously worked in the Northern Ireland Civil Service in a number of administrative roles, including in a high profile welfare reform project for three years.

He has extensive experience of helping to deliver a public service and providing administrative support.

Email
Telephone: 028 9531 3041

Deaglan McMahon
Senior Clerical Officer

Deaglan has a strong background in education, having graduated from Liverpool Hope University with a PGCE in History, he went on to teach in the Belfast area.

Most recently, Deaglan spent time in Australia, where he taught in a range of schools including Footscray City College and Hume Valley Special School.

Email 
Telephone: 028 9531 3044 

Zoe Phelan
Senior Clerical Officer

After graduating from Northumbria University in 2009, Zoe worked in various private and public sector organisations.

She obtained a CIPD qualification in 2014. Prior to joining the Controlled Schools’ Support Council Zoe worked for Belfast Met in HR Services.

Email 
Telephone: 028 9531 3043

Chris McAfee
Senior Clerical Officer

Chris graduated from Queen’s University Belfast with a BA in Politics and a MA in Irish Politics.

He has a wide range of experience in administrative roles across the voluntary/community and higher education sectors in Northern Ireland.

Email
Telephone: 028 9531 3031

Elaine Scott
Senior Clerical Officer

After graduating from RMIT University Melbourne, Australia, in 2005, Elaine worked for various public sector organisations, as well as obtaining post graduate qualifications in careers education.

Elaine oversaw the administration of a high profile investigation audit into the Lacrosse Apartment Fire in Melbourne, covering 151 sites and totalling 168 projects.

Email
Telephone: 028 9531 3043