Our Team
National President
James Burnside
National President
James is a founder member and Life President of Mid-Ulster Floral Art Society serving as Club Chairman several times over many years. He is a founder member of NIGFAS’ Contemporary Design Club, Inspirations, serving as Chairman and Secretary. James has served on the NIGFAS Area Executive Committee as Chairman and Secretary. James has a wealth of knowledge - he is a well-respected National Judge, Demonstrator, Speaker and Teacher and is also an Accredited Adjudicator for demonstrating and judging, plus an Accredited Instructor for demonstrating. James has served on the National Demonstrators and National Judges Committees and held positions at National Shows and Assemblies also having demonstrated at several National Shows and events. As an enthusiastic competitor he has won numerous awards at Area, national and international level. James is passionate about sharing his knowledge and has helped many potential judges, demonstrators and speakers over many years. As a keen gardener James has opened his garden to flower arranging and gardening clubs sharing his love of plants and their use in flower arranging. James is honoured to become National President and looks forward to meeting and encouraging as many members as possible to enjoy flower arranging and to promote the benefits of NAFAS.
Trustees
Nicky Wylie
National Chairman
Having joined her local flower club in 2009, Nicky became Chairperson in 2013, an officer for the Cheshire Area of NAFAS in 2014, and was elected to the Board of NAFAS in October 2020. Nicky was a Cheshire East Town and County Council Councilor, responsible for the community, order and public safety committee and brings a wealth of experience of Governance and Safeguarding to the Board, with an understanding of the legal duties, and responsibilities required to be a Trustee. Nicky is a keen flower arranger and in 2019 lead the NAFAS Chelsea exhibition team.
Paula McAlinden
Trustee
Paula is currently Chairperson of the Lurgan & District Flower Arrangement Society which is a member NIGFAS. A retired Consultant Community Paediatrician (CCP) who previously worked in the Southern Health & Social Care Trust in Northern Ireland. One of the main areas of her work was in child development assessment and linked to this she became involved working as a Tutor of the Griffiths Scales with the Association of Research in Infant and Child Development (ARICD). Subsequently, Paula became a Trustee of ARICD and was the ARICD President for 6 years from 2015 to 2021. Paula continues to be an ARICD Trustee and is also, currently, the ARICD Treasurer. Paula continues to be a Griffiths Tutor having taught Griffiths Training courses in the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, Dubai, Doha and Saudi Arabia. As a CCP, Paula recognises the importance of ongoing medical education and over many years has been very active organising training courses for other local community paediatricians. She also represented community paediatricians from Northern Ireland on committees at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health and the British Association of Community Child Health. Previously a member of the Finance and Corporate Services Committee of the RCPCH and the BACCH Treasurer. Paula is looking forward to working with the other NAFAS Trustees to promote the work of NAFAS and hopes her previous experience as a Trustee and experience in training and financial management will help in her new role.
Elizabeth Gordon
Trustee
Elizabeth brings to the NAFAS Board a lifelong career’s experience of working with flowers and designing with plant material. As an Area demonstrator, adult education tutor and florist, she gets immense satisfaction from encouraging and motivating others to share in her passion for flowers. A keen competitor, Elizabeth has achieved competition successes at RHS Chelsea, Harrogate and Malvern, and most recently the NAFAS National Show 2023. She has also represented her Area at a National Show and NAFAS at the London Orchid Show. In her time as Area Chair, she led a team providing support to flower clubs, reaching out to the grassroots membership - she values her longstanding membership of her local flower club. She has experience at organising large floral events, having chaired an Area Day and coordinated an Area Flower Festival with some 25 clubs participating. Elizabeth places great store in teamwork and appreciates the benefits that working together brings to an organisation.
Julie Pearson
Trustee
Julie is a British Master of Floristry, previously known as NDSF. She has been a consultant to the floral industry, an international tutor and a City & Guilds examiner. Julie directed her own floral event company for many years, designing floral designs for weddings, castles, private homes and the occasional swimming pool. In addition to her qualifications in Floristry, Julie holds the Graduateship (GCGI) in Leadership and Management. Julie is an active member of NAFAS, both as an Area Demonstrator and on the National Education Committee. She was integral in writing parts 1,2 & 3 of the new flower arranging course. She is Programme Secretary for the Contemporary Floral Design Education Group in the Northwest and holds strong ties with Cheshire area. She has been invited to create in many floral charity events and flower festivals over the years, most recently in Belmont Village, Bolton in the summer of 2025. Julie is a keen competitor and has achieved several RHS Chelsea Flower Show medals, including Gold in 2023 & 2024. In 2024, she was commissioned by the trustees of NAFAS to create a new publication, ‘Floral Design, Innovation & Craft’. It is now in print and on the bookshelf. She is the founder of the community group Blooming Great which was fortunate to be awarded a Big Lottery grant in Jan 2018. Blooming Great reached 545 young people through 35 workshops in twelve months. Julie is very fortunate to have a career in a subject she so thoroughly enjoys.
Ann Harding
Trustee
Ann joined the Board of Trustees in 2019 following her term of office as Chairman of the North East Area of NAFAS. She is a member of the Board of NAFAS Enterprises, Umbrella to the Editorial Team and jointly responsible for NAFAS Publications. She is City and Guilds qualified in Flower Arrangement and Teaching and is a member of two flower clubs. In her professional life she was a qualified Practice Manager at 2 large GP practices, firstly in Skipton then for a group practice in Bradford before becoming an Accommodation Provider and subsequently a director of the Skipton Tourist Information Board.
Joan Magee
Trustee
Joan worked for the Inland Revenue for 20 years and was a front-line manager for 10 years with experience of being on the recruitment panel. Since 1997 she has been an integral member of the family hospitality business which has given her a variety of opportunities including front of house, business, staffing and education. Having gained a Level 2 in Wine and Spirit Appreciation is now studying for Level 3. Joan has travelled Europe extensively with her husbands World Championship Motocross Team where her interpersonal skills came into play. She was also the Hospitality Manager which included hands-on catering along with entertaining sponsors etc. Over 25 years ago Joan joined NIGFAS and served on the Executive Committee, JDS&E Committee and is currently Vice-Chairman of Comber Flower Club. Joan is a National Judge, Trainee Adjudicator for Judges, Area Demonstrator, Area Speaker, and Teacher and has just retired as Chairman of the National Judges Committee which led her to being part of the organising team for the National Show held in Gloucester Cathedral a role she particularly enjoyed. Time permitting Joan enjoys cooking and travelling to her home in Portugal for some well-earned R&R. Joan is looking forward to her only daughter’s wedding next year, plans are going well, only agreement cannot be reached on who is doing the flowers!
Staff
Steven Lane
Chief Executive
Steven joined NAFAS in 2019. He has a commercial background and was a director of two retail companies before making a move into the charity sector. Over the past 20 years Steven has held senior roles in fundraising and marketing positions in the hospice movement before becoming CEO of Dame Vera Lynn’s Children’s Charity and a national Air Ambulance charity. Now responsible for the small NAFAS staff team and the day to day management of the Charity, Steven is enjoying the challenges and relishes the prospect of taking the Charity forward.
Lisa Spencer
Office Administrator
Lisa joined NAFAS in September 2025 as an Office Administrator, she works with our Education, Speaker and Judges Committees and alongside Vanessa Keys to ensure the smooth running of Head Office. Lisa previously worked as an office manager in Insurance, Law and Accountancy practices before moving to her most recent role where she spent 10 years with a not-for-profit organisation, working on a volunteer membership programme as Office Manager and Team coordinator. Supporting and championing volunteers to achieve their goals, improving and documenting processes, and organising key events. In many respects a similar role.
Helen Lund
Finance Manager
I recently joined NAFAS in February 2025 as Finance Manager, on a part-time basis. Prior to joining NAFAS, I worked as a Finance Manager for a specialist resource/recruitment company, also based in London, where I served for 21 years. I’m excited to be part of the NAFAS family, working alongside the friendly and supportive Head Office team, ensuring the finance functions remain efficient and compliant. In my spare time I like to spend time with my family and friends and enjoy seafront walks in my lovely hometown of Leigh-on-Sea.
Elizabeth Simpson
Digital Marketing & Communications Manager
Elizabeth is our Digital Marketing and Communications Manager, on a part-time basis, bringing a strong background in digital marketing and extensive experience from working with charities across a variety of sectors. She has a proven track record in growing social presence, developing strategies, and delivering impactful campaigns. Passionate about making communications effective and inclusive, she ensures messaging resonates with the right audiences. Elizabeth is also highly experienced in leading projects, managing budgets, and implementing social strategies that deliver measurable results.
Vanessa Keys
Office Manager, PA to National Chairman
Vanessa joined the team in March 2018 originally as Admin Secretary. Her background, for over 20 years, was PA to the Managing Director of an Essex based construction company, prior to this she was PA to the Active Underwriters of insurance syndicates based in Lloyd’s of London. Vanessa openly admits her role in NAFAS has been a steep learning curve but, with her ‘nothing is too much trouble’ attitude continues to learn and work conscientiously as a team member. Her role is extremely varied but includes working with the National Officers, Trustees, Steven Lane and Area Chairmen and, along with Lisa Spencer, carries out other administrative duties to ensure the smooth running of Head Office.