Why the founding team matters
The Life Cadets was created by people who understand that opportunity, exposure and encouragement can change the direction of a young person’s life.
The founders combine professional expertise with practical experience and a long-standing commitment to supporting young people.
Paul Tully
Founder & Leader
Paul founded The Life Cadets with the aim of helping young people explore and develop their potential and go on to take control of driving their own futures.
He left home after school and worked his way through university installing and repairing elevators. A graduate of University College Dublin (B.Comm, Accounting & Finance), Paul worked for twelve years in industry before becoming a management consultant. He then set up a specialist management consultancy practice with his partner Alison and is now retired.
Paul has a strong interest in mentoring and youth development and has been a serving mentor within the Quinn Business School Undergraduate Mentoring Programme at UCD since 2020.
An active sailor since 1999, Paul gained his RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore qualification in 2007 and is a member of Rutland Sailing Club, where he volunteers as a qualified Safety Boat Coxswain.
David Wilkins
Leader – Sailing & Marine Initiative
David brings extensive technical and sporting experience to The Life Cadets.
A graduate Electronic Engineer (Trinity College Dublin) with an MSc in Computer Science from Cambridge, David is the retired proprietor of an IT solutions and management consultancy firm.
He is an Irish Olympic silver medal winner for sailing and represented Ireland in five Olympic Games. He has played a significant role in sailing development, serving as a World Sailing International Race Officer and RYA National Race Officer.
David has been closely involved with Rutland Sailing Club since 1980 and has a particular interest in encouraging marginalised and disadvantaged groups to participate in sailing.
Alison Tully
Leader – Communications & Branding
Alison leads communications and branding for The Life Cadets.
She studied Business and Marketing at Leicester College and began her professional life in the publishing industry before moving into consultancy in training and corporate communications.
Alison has served as director of several public relations firms, led marketing teams across the technology sector, and was a partner in a management consultancy practice with Paul. She later led marketing in the fire and safety equipment sector and currently works as Academy & Events Manager for Firechief®.
Alison brings strategic communications expertise, branding experience and organisational leadership to The Life Cadets.
Working with the founding team
The Life Cadets is building a wider network of Initiative Leaders, patrons, sponsors and partners who share the organisation’s belief in the importance of opportunity and forward planning for young people.
The founding team remains actively involved in guiding the organisation, developing initiatives and building partnerships that open doors.
Interested in working with us?
If you would like to collaborate with The Life Cadets, have your organisation participate in our programmes, explore partnership opportunities, or discuss how you might contribute to an initiative, we would be pleased to hear from you.