Marshall stands for NI21 in Ballymena ‘Super Council’ poll

UK21 election candidate Richard Marshall pictured with his election agent Ronnie McBride prior to handing in his nomination papers. INBT18-233AC

Although born and educated in Coleraine Richard Marshall has lived over 30 years in Ballymena. He started out his working life in the Northern Bank in Broadway in 1973 and would have been a well known face behind the counter for a number of years.

He was later transferred to Antrim but soon after left the bank to develop his career in other areas of the financial world where he would eventually hold senior management positions with several international investment companies travelling extensively throughout the world. He was also a well known face at Eaton Park where he played for the 1st XV for several seasons as well as coaching mini rugby for 10 years.

It was while he was regional manager for Clerical Medical International that he was instrumental in acquiring Ballymena Rugby Clubs first major sponsorship deal with Clerical Medical Investment Group at the beginning of the All Ireland League.

In 1983 he was to marry Jennifer Caldwell, daughter of well known Broughshane Street butcher, Alex Caldwell, and that marriage would bring them back to live in Ballymena to raise and educate their three boys. Much of his time during this period of his life would be spent travelling the world with work and other than coaching under age rugby, had little time to get involved in the community.

However in 2004 he took the opportunity to set up his own company, Lawscript, which provides a range of outsourced business services. Based in Ballymena this has allowed him to get more involved in the local community.

Richard did a term as parent representative on the Board of Governors of Ballymena Academy, he has been on the management committee of Ballymena Area Children’s Contact Service for 8 years and on the board of the Northern Ireland Network of Child Contact Centres for the same period, serving as Chairperson for a year.

As a committed Christian he has been heavily involved in High Kirk Presbyterian Church both on the Congregational Committee and latterly as an elder. With three boys passing through Ballymena Academy he transferred his coaching from Eaton Park to the Galgorm Road where he has been a constant presence for the last 10 years on a Saturday morning.

He believes that through his diverse business experiences he has an asset that will be of value in the new expanded council and it’s newly acquired responsibilities.