27/02/2026
Today is a bittersweet farewell to the Godfather of SlackPress Studios, as Stevie McClelland takes his bow. After 25 years of commitment to the sector, and 13 of those steering SlackPress, Stephen is retiring and we’ll miss having him always right around the corner.
In 2013, a group of naïve graduates came to Stephen with a ‘business plan’ and we got the infamous stare down with raised eye-brow as he tried to wrap his head around what we’d scribbled on a page. From that very moment, Stephen fueled the engine that developed our company in those fledgling years.
He opened the world of social enterprise to us, and championed our vision to help build our foundations. Stephen shaped every decision we made in those days, by challenging us to think like entrepreneurs, giving us space to grow and learn from mistakes.
It’s hard to write one of these without it sounding like an obituary, but we just can’t thank Stephen enough for the dedication he had for, not only us, but the whole 3rd sector in the area.
He once made us do door-to-door sales in an industrial estate for video production, just to harden us with the multiple rejections. He unleashed us in national conferences to network with seasoned entrepreneurs across the country. He also introduced us to the most insane people we have ever worked with in our life, but we’ve come to realise that all these lessons he taught us have been one of our most treasured assets in business.
Thank you Stephen, for everything. You are truly a class act, and we are excited for this next chapter in your life. We hope you won’t be a stranger, and hopefully this means you have more time to volunteer for a group of graduates who never grew up.
NEWRY & MOURNE CO-OPERATIVE AND ENTERPRISE AGENCY BIDS FAREWELL TO LONG-SERVING CHAMPION
The management, board and partners at Newry and Mourne Co-Operative and Enterprise Agency is set to bid farewell to one of its most dedicated champions as Stephen McClelland prepares to retire at the end of March 2026.
After nearly 25 years of steadfast support for the voluntary, community, and social enterprise sector, Stephen has confirmed that his final active working day will be this Friday, 27 February, to allow for a period of annual leave before his official departure.
Reflecting on a career defined by community impact, Stephen described his tenure as one of the greatest privileges of his professional life.
He noted that witnessing the real and lasting difference made by passionate individuals across the district has been a daily inspiration.
His work has spanned the entire lifecycle of social innovation, from the earliest stages of listening to raw ideas and shaping initial business plans to mentoring long-term growth and securing the investment necessary to turn visions into reality.
Throughout his decades of service, Stephen has remained a constant advocate for the creativity and resilience of local social entrepreneurs.
He expressed deep gratitude to the colleagues who provided professionalism and friendship over the years, as well as the stakeholders and partners whose collaboration built a foundation of value for the local community.
For Stephen, the true reward has been watching these enterprises develop, sustain, and ultimately thrive as a driving force for positive social change.
As Stephen prepares to begin this new chapter, he leaves behind a legacy of growth and collective achievement.
To ensure a smooth transition and continued support for the sector, the programme has confirmed that future inquiries and support requests should be directed to Rory Carroll, who can be reached at 028 3026 7011 or via email at [email protected].
Pictured: Stephen McClelland with his wife Roisin receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Northern Ireland Social Enterprise Awards 2023.
