Lisa McManus - Chair
With long-standing family ties to Portaferry, Lisa made the permanent move to the area in 2020. She believes deeply in the power of arts and shared cultural experiences to bring people together, strengthen community spirit and support collective well‑being. Lisa joined the Board of Portico in February 2024 and stepped into the role of Chair in April 2026.
As Chair of the Board, Lisa is playing an active role in guiding Portico through this important period of transition and in supporting Neil McClure in his honorary role as Interim Manager to ensure the organisation continues to serve the community at its best in its second decade.
Lisa has spent most of her professional life overseas working in international development, holding leadership roles with the British Council, BBC Media Action, NI‑CO and the World Bank. She continues this work as a consultant, managing capacity‑building programmes with national ministries in Jordan, Somalia and Ethiopia. She also brings significant experience in media development and in supporting marginalised groups in conflict and post‑conflict settings.
Bethan Jones - Treasurer
Acting as Treasurer, Bethan is new to the Portico board.
Robin McClelland - Secretary
Robin joined the Board of Portico in 2021 and became Secretary in 2022. He was formerly a Non-Executive Director on the Board of the Health & Social Care Business Services Organisation, from 2009 to 2017. Since 2018 he has been a Trustee Board Member of Community Advice Ards and North Down (formerly Citizens Advice Ards and North Down), and was Vice Chair from 2019 to 2023. He is experienced in dealing with human resources, corporate governance, strategic planning and financial oversight.
Robin is retired trade union official with the Northern Ireland Public Services Alliance. He has a keen interest in music and theatre and is an amateur composer.
Duane Fitzsimons
Duane Fitzsimons joined the Board in 2022. Duane is a heritage tour guide and runs Legends of Lecale Peninsula. He shares his extensive local heritage knowledge in short videos across social media which explore the rich history of the Strangford Lough region. Duane works for Belfast City Council promoting outdoor activities.
Jane Heyn
Jane joined the board of Portico in the Spring of 2024. Born and raised in the Glens of Antrim, she spent most of her adult life accompanying her diplomat husband crossing continents, from South America via Europe to Asia.
In Myanmar she founded and directed the Irrawaddy Literary Festival (irrawaddylitfest.com). Now settled on the Ards Peninsula she is picture framing from her home workshop. Jane enjoys all art forms and is particularly fond of reading, movies and theatre.
Naomi McCallum
Naomi joined the board in February 2024. She is an established business owner, running an award-winning beauty salon in Portaferry since 2017. Naomi champions campaigns to “Support Local” and is passionately committed to social and economic development in the local area.
Naomi is also a dedicated fundraiser and each year creates events to support the Cancer Fund For Children and Angel Wishes.
Tory Kerley
Tory is currently a Head of People Performance & Culture in the Tech industry. She previously worked as a consultant specialising in HR and the UK Skills Agenda, was Manager for Northern Ireland for Skillsmart Retail and also worked in operational retail management for companies including Habitat and Laura Ashley. She also worked in the Charity sector for Cancer Research and served as Vice Chair of the Board of the Training for Women Network. She has been a primary school governor with responsibility for safeguarding. Tory has been involved with Portico in an occasional advisory capacity from the early days, and was delighted to join the Board in 2026.