2025 Pride Team
Heather Devine, Co-Chair (she/her) (heather.devine@manchester.ac.uk)
Heather is a Project and Change Manager based in Royce@Manchester. She's been part of BeeProud for almost 10 years, and remembers many network meetings where she was the only female voice in the room. She has been involved with UoM Pride activities since 2018.
Outside of work, she provides welfare and community support at queer events, with a focus on trans+ inclusion and queer activism. She also enjoys circus arts and spins fire when she gets the chance.
Kate Ryan, Co-Chair (she/her)
Kate has been at the University of Manchester as the Department Administrator in SoSS since 2023 and has been part of the Pride Committee for just as long. She is also a volunteer graphic designer for Trans Mutual Aid Manchester (TMAM) as an ally. Outside of work, Kate enjoys GM’ing TTRPGs, staying up WAY too late playing video games, and going to the gym with the goal to be able to do a pull up and deadlift her friends.
Eden Cady-McKellar (He/Him)
Eden is a Research Support Officer for the Division of Cancer Sciences and assists students in halls as a Senior ResLife Advisor. He has been a member of the UoM Pride Committee since 2023 and is currently coordinating communications in the lead-up to the Manchester Pride Parade.
In his spare time, Eden enjoys queer dance events across Manchester and rewatching every episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race.
Ian Breen (He/Him)
Ian is an Operations Assistant within the Doctoral Academy in the faculty of Science and Engineering. He recently joined the UoM Pride Committee, with 2025 being his first time supporting the organisation of the University’s Pride Parade entry. Outside of the University, Ian is involved in a lot of queer-focussed events – alongside running his own clubnight What Do I Tell My Friends, he has DJed at Manchester Pride, Homobloc and many other clubnights and festivals over the past five years.
Ro Procter (They/Them)
Ro is the PS Co-Chair for the Disabled Staff Network and is employed in the Curriculum and Programmes team for the School of Natural Sciences. It's their first time supporting the Pride Committee, but it certainly won't be their last! Beyond UoM, Ro is an avid board game player and dabbles in comedy improv too.
David Cross (he/him)
David works as an administrator in the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Directorate and has volunteered with the University’s Pride Committee since 2022.
In his spare time, David is an avid reader (particularly anything history related), enjoys knitting, volunteers for Age UK’s telephone friendship service and is also a keen runner.
Paul Marks-Jones (he/him)
Paul has been on the Pride Committee since 2012 and brought the university back to the parade that year with a winning entry! He's worked at the Uni since 2007 and in EDI since 2009 - relaunching the LGBT+ Network group in 2010 and chairing it until 2021!
Outside of work you'll find him cooking, swimming or travelling and he has what some might say an unhealthy interest in all things Eurovision!
Rachel Kirkwood (she/they)
Rachel works in the Library as Modern Collections Manager, where she has a personal mission to make modern collections as cool, queer, diverse and accessible as possible. She has research interests in queer fan fiction and Quaker Studies, and convenes the staff network group 'Quakers and Seekers' for anyone interested in alternative spirituality e.g. Taizé-style worship. When not belting out 80s pop tunes she'll be found singing polyphony in the basement of the Library with Voces Bibliotecae.
Mason Adshead (He/Him)
Mason is a postdoctoral research associate based in the Photon Science Institute and is a new addition to the Pride Committee. Outside of work, Mason enjoys traveling, engaging with local community events, and honing his artistic skills through creative writing and drawing.
Irene Kapetanaki (She/Her)
Irene is a Teaching, Learning and Student Experience Coordinator in Education Development at The University. She has been a member of the UoM Pride Committee for a few years and a member of BeeProud for even longer.
Outside of work she enjoys outdoor activities, learning about history and finding historical artefacts in the mud.
James Smuts
James works for IT Services as the Head of Governance, Risk and Compliance, reducing risk and supporting collaboration. He is passionate about creating inclusive, welcoming environments where everyone can bring their whole selves to work. He has volunteered with the Pride Committee since (shortly after) joining the University in 2023. In his personal time he enjoys gaming and longs for the annual Gay Christmas celebrations!
Christopher Neilson
Christopher has been associated with The University of Manchester since 1998. He works part-time in the Department of Civil Engineering and Management as a Teaching Associate, Manchester Gold mentor and coach. Away from UoM, he also works for the Association of Researchers in Construction Management as an Administrator and Conference Secretary. He makes a good chocolate sponge cake and collecting music CDs (he hates paying for unnecessary subscription services).
