Quintin Oliver
Director
Quintin Oliver is a successful serial entrepreneur, driving Stratagem to new heights of innovation and creativity.
Born in Belfast, he was educated at the University of St Andrews (to MA level), at the Open University (Professional Diploma in Management) and by the IoD (Diploma in Company Direction).
He has worked a decade each in the public sector (Welfare Rights Adviser to Strathclyde Regional Council, 1977-1985), in the voluntary sector (Director, Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action, 1985-1998) and now in the private sector at Stratagem (1998 - present).
In the 1970s he helped set up the European Youth Forum, from his base as Chair of the British Youth Council (Scotland). At NICVA he moved to professionalise the voluntary sector and introduce it to European programmes (negotiating the Peace Package and Structural Funds in the 1990s) and moving it to recognition as a social partner. He was selected by President of Ireland Mary Robinson to serve on the Council of State (1991-1997).
At Stratagem, Northern Ireland's first lobbying company which he set up after leading the 'YES' Campaign for the Good Friday (Belfast) Agreement referendum, he has developed initiatives to serve clients and deliver their public policy objectives, growing the company and enhancing its reputation as cutting edge in its field, with a blend of research, communication, training and campaign skills. A strong values base commits the company not only to its location in the splendid Carnegie Library on the Donegall Road but also to donating 10% of profit to charity, and 5% of time to pro bono work.
Quintin chairs social enterprise The Consultation Institute, serves as a non-executive director of eaga plc and is a trustee of Scottish anti-sectarian charity Nil by Mouth. He is also an independent assessor for the Chief Commissioner for Public Appointments. He chaired the Board of Oscar-nominated Nerve Centre in Derry until 2008.
In 2007 he became head of the International Secretariat of the Helsinki Iraq project, taking Northern Ireland politicians to work with Iraqi leaders, from a forest in Finland to Baghdad, drawing on his sharply honed conflict resolution skills derived from work on Colombia (for Trócaire), Uganda (for Democratic Party), Lebanon (for Jemstone) the Middle East, Basque Country and Cyprus.
In Stratagem's tenth year, he was awarded 'Entrepreneur of the Year' by the Chamber of Commerce, was a finalist in the Management and Leadership Network's Excel Awards and Stratagem was recognised as 'Best Place to Work' by the Irish News.