The Judges

  • Jude is a solicitor and Legal Review Manager at Cleaver Fulton Rankin Solicitors, with a diverse practice specialising in legal tech and emerging technologies.

    Jude is a frequent speaker on diversity and inclusion, in particular in relation to LGBTQIA+ rights and history. He has spoken on radio, podcasts/digital media and in person for BBC Northern Ireland, public bodies, businesses and charitable/grassroots organisations. He is an advisor to a number of grassroots, local pride organisations and charitable organisations. He is Chair of the Portrush for Mark Ashton Campaign and a volunteer with the LGBTQIA+ Heritage Project. Jude was a founding trustee of The White Ribbon Project NI, the male allyship charity for ending gender based violence. Jude is a trustee of PIPS Suicide Prevention Ireland and a LawCare Champion. Jude is a member of the Law Society of NI Future of the Profession Committee and was an inaugural member Human Rights & Equality Group.

  • With over 20 years of leadership experience in sport, business, and charity development, Michael has a proven track record of delivering transformational change. He specialises in strategy development, engagement and communications, alongside training, workshops, coaching and mentoring. A European A-Licence coach, he devised award-winning initiatives such as “Football For All” and “Let Them Play,” which have driven inclusivity and societal change in Northern Ireland.

    Michael spent 16 years as a senior leader at the Irish Football Association, pioneering projects like World United and Street Soccer NI, endorsed by UEFA, FIFA and the EU. In 2018, he received Ulster University’s Outstanding Graduate Award for contributions to football, peace and community development.

    Currently, Michael leads Communications and Engagement for the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission and chairs working groups on sports and human rights at the Commonwealth and European levels. He is also the Chairman of Belfast Healthy Cities and County Antrim SuperCupNI.

    A founder of the Rights at the Finish Line podcast and the Street Soccer NI homeless charity, he is internationally respected for his innovative approach to social responsibility, stakeholder engagement, and advocacy.

  • Laura Lavery is Community and Engagement Lead in PA Consulting, and Co-chair of the Working With Pride Network within Northern Ireland. She has 10 years’ experience working with networks and DEI, and is a passionate advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, community organisation and supporting employers to create inclusive, safe spaces for their people.

  • Born in Glasgow to parents from Hong Kong, Alfie grew up in Belfast and studied Accountancy at Queen’s University Belfast. A Fellow Chartered Accountant working in the Department of Finance (DoF) of the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS), he supports the central financial management functions of the Department and previously worked on government contracts, providing commercial and financial advice. Lately, while as Head of Racial Equality Delivery Team at the Executive Office, he supported the Racial Equality Strategy 2015-2025 priorities and development of future policies.

    Appointed as DoF Racial Equality Champion in 2017 and also NICS Race and Ethnicity Champion in 2020, Alfie’s roles have been significant during time of Black Lives Matter, post Brexit, COVID and rising racist hate crimes. He advocates for a diverse society where everyone is treated equally and fairly, believing that different experiences, knowledge, and skills can create a better shared future. He founded the NICS Race and Ethnicity Network to support colleagues from minority ethnic backgrounds, fostering a workplace that ensures their uniqueness and individuality are valued and respected, bringing the benefits from a variety of different perspectives, innovation and creativity.

    In 2020, he was awarded MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List, for services to Racial Equality and the Government in Northern Ireland, recognising his work as DoF Racial Equality Champion and as an ambassador for NICS. He remains dedicated to promoting racial equality, diversity and inclusion, working with colleagues and the minority ethnic sector, including the Racial Equality Subgroup, to champion the voices of minority ethnic backgrounds and diverse communities.