About Andy
Born and raised in East Belfast, Andy attended Knocknagoney and Avoniel Primary and Orangefield Secondary School. In 2006, after leaving school, he joined the Military. He is married to Natalie, and they have three children: Carter, Chloe and Tyler.
In 2008, he served in Afghanistan with the 1st Battalion, the Royal Irish Regiment, where he was horrifically injured by a Taliban Improvised Explosive Device. He was featured in the BAFTA-winning documentary, 'Wounded', which followed Andy through his recovery. In 2010, he established a service charity to help fellow service personnel, Veterans and their families in Northern Ireland.
Andy's journey into politics began in 2014 when he joined the Ulster Unionist Party. Since then, he has been a dedicated community activist, tirelessly assisting constituents with a myriad of issues. His commitment was recognised in 2015 when he was co-opted to the Northern Ireland Assembly as an MLA for East Belfast. The people of East Belfast reaffirmed their trust in him by electing him back to the Assembly in May 2016, again in the snap election of March 2017, and most recently in May 2022.
As the Ulster Unionist Party Communities spokesperson, Andy's role is not just diverse, but also deeply impactful. He covers a wide range of areas including sports, arts, housing, disability, social security, and more, ensuring that the voices and needs of the community are not just heard, but also addressed effectively.
Outside of politics, he remains actively involved in support services for service personnel, veterans and their families. He was awarded the MBE in the 2018 New Year Honours for Services to Veterans and their Families in Northern Ireland.
Andy's personal life is as impressive as his political career. He finds joy in spending time with his family and participating in a range of sports. His determination is evident in his involvement in adaptive powerlifting. In 2019, he showcased his strength and resilience at the 'Warrior Games' in Tampa, Florida, winning four silver medals in adaptive rowing, shot put, and discus, and securing the 4th position in adaptive powerlifting, bench pressing an impressive 112kg. His passion for sports continues to drive him, and he eagerly anticipates competing in further competitions in the near future.
He operates a busy constituency office which assists constituents with a wide range of issues.