Olive is a Commissioner of Irish Lights and a volunteer with the Northern Health and Social Care Trust. She is also a volunteer community champion with EXTERN, Ireland's leading social justice charity.
In her career Olive held numerous posts with Invest Northern Ireland, including as Executive Director of Strategy and Business Development. In this role she led on the development and execution of a new business strategy, targeting economic growth through job creation, increased exports and innovation.
Prior to this Olive was Director of Innovation & Technology Solutions at Invest Northern Ireland. She led a team of engineers and scientists providing support to businesses across a range of disciplines, including sustainable development, design, innovation, ebusiness and intellectual property.
Olive holds a BA(Hons) in Business Studies and a Masters in Business Administration. In February 2020 she was awarded an OBE for Service to the Economy in Northern Ireland.
Living near Ballygally, Co Antrim, Olive is an enthusiastic coastal rower, sea swimmer, runner and walker. Having spent many years exploring her local environment she is particularly interested in maritime, coastal and environmental heritage.