Roberta Simmons
Banbridge,County Down
Summary
Experienced professional with over 20 years of expertise in legal administration, membership development, and community leadership. Proven track record in client management, staff coordination, and project delivery. Highly organised, trustworthy, and adept at handling confidential information. Skilled in financial oversight, event planning, and stakeholder engagement.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
14
14
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work history
Membership Development Officer
Ulster Farmers’ Union
Belfast
01.2018 - 11.2025
- Support Membership Director in daily operations and member engagement for 13 UFU Groups.
- Implement recruitment and retention strategies, consistently achieving high membership retention (93% & above).
- Manage Affinity offerings and negotiate exclusive member deals.
- Represent UFU at agricultural shows/events.
- Collaborate with colleagues to develop incentive schemes for membership growth
Legal Secretary
Nelson-Singleton, Solicitors
Dromore, County Down & Markethill, County Armagh
09.2000 - 01.2018
- Senior Legal Secretary supporting a Senior Partner for 17 years, including full PA responsibilities
- Managed reception and switchboard, client liaison, legal document preparation, diary management, and office organisation
- Solely ran the Markethill sub-office, handling legal matters independently
- Prepared cash statements and distribution accounts for probate and conveyancing
- Maintained high standards of confidentiality and discretion in all legal matters
Part-time Waitress
Eds
Banbridge, County Down
11.2007 - 06.2008
- Customer service
- Order handling
- Cash management
Work Placement
McBurney & Co., Solicitors
Banbridge, County Down
09.1999 - 09.2000
- Dealing with switchboard of five lines
- Dealing with Clients
- Dealing with general receptionist duties
- Drafting up legal documents
- Typing up dictation
- Filing and organisation
- Diary management
Work Experience
BT Exchange
Portadown, County Armagh
11.1998 - 11.1998
- Helping to answer and deal with Directory Enquiry phonecalls and find the caller the requested telephone number.
- Shadowing the Senior Manager
Education
NVQ Level 2 - Business and Administration
Graham Training & Employment
01.1999 - 01.2001
GCSEs -
SECONDARY LEVEL EDUCATION - Banbridge High School
Banbridge, County Down 01.1994 - 01.1999
-
PRIMARY EDUCATION - Ballydown Primary School
Banbridge 01.1987 - 01.1994
Certification
- November 2019 - Membership Matters Completion of Membership Recruitment & Retention Masterclass
- September 2023 - Emergency First Aid Training at Work Course
Community & Voluntary Work
Rathfriland Young Farmers Club, County Down Young Farmers Clubs & Young Farmers Clubs of Ulster (YFCU) |
Rathfriland YFC - 2000 – 2025 - Roles: Club PRO, Club Secretary, Club Assistant Leader, Club Leader, Club Vice-President Club President
County Down YFC - 2000 - 2017 - Roles: County Sub Committee Rep. for 17 years & Junior Co-Ordinator.
YFCU - Vice-Chair of Development Committee (2010), Chair of Development Committee (2011), Vice-President (2011-2013), Deputy President (2013-2015), Organisation President (2015–2017) - Served as Organisation President from 2015-2017 leading the entire YFCU at national level - Responsibilities: Board Director, HR & staffing oversight, budgeting, funding, strategic planning, local/UK/EU representation - Represented the organisation at national and international events, managed senior decision-making including staffing, finance, and strategic planning - Skilled in negotiation, youth development, and event coordination.
Select Vestry, Seapatrick Parish Church – Member - Oversee finances, trusts, loans, and compliance for 1,200-family parish.
Trustee Roles currently held – BPositive Charity & Rathfriland Young Farmers Club - Legal responsibility for managing finances and property for charitable purposes.
Current Council Member, RUAS - dealing with Governance oversight and compliance
Past Board positions
Rural Support (2015/2016)
UFU Executive (2015/2017)
NIFDA (2015/2017)
Womens Institute (2015/2017)
Skills
Legal Administration & PA Support - Membership Recruitment & Retention - Client Relations & Public Engagement - Event Planning & Community Leadership - Financial Management & Reporting - Minute-taking & Meeting Coordination - Negotiation & Stakeholder Management - Confidentiality & Discretion
HOBBIES & INTERESTS
- Playing cornet in a concert band – teamwork, discipline, and performance skills
- Managing a family farm holding – business management, financial planning, and problem-solving
- Walking – personal wellness and fitness
REFEREES
- Lewis, Singleton, Solicitor, 028 9269 3475, 21 Gallows Street, Dromore, County Down, BT25 1BG
- Sarah, Macauley, NFU Insurance Agent/UFU Group Manager, 07515169593, 1 Newry Road, Banbridge, BT32 3HF
Timeline
Membership Development Officer
Ulster Farmers’ Union
01.2018 - 11.2025
Part-time Waitress
Eds
11.2007 - 06.2008
Legal Secretary
Nelson-Singleton, Solicitors
09.2000 - 01.2018
Work Placement
McBurney & Co., Solicitors
09.1999 - 09.2000
NVQ Level 2 - Business and Administration
Graham Training & Employment
01.1999 - 01.2001
Work Experience
BT Exchange
11.1998 - 11.1998
GCSEs -
SECONDARY LEVEL EDUCATION - Banbridge High School
01.1994 - 01.1999
-
PRIMARY EDUCATION - Ballydown Primary School
01.1987 - 01.1994