Extensions to Public Appointments - September 2018

The Department for the Economy (DfE) has announced extensions to the terms of office of a number of Chairs and Board members of public bodies sponsored by the Department, in accordance with the CPANI Code of Practice.

Construction Industry Training Board

Maurice Johnston, Chair, had his tenure extended by six months from 1 July 2018 to 31 December 2018. Also the tenures of Christopher Corken, Siobhan Hassard, David Henry, Derek Martin and Jackie Pollock have been extended by six months from 1 July 2018 to 31 December 2018.

Consumer Council for Northern Ireland

David Beattie and David Galloway had their tenures extended by six months from 1 July 2018 to 31 December 2018.

Health and Safety Executive NI

Tom Wright and Harry Sinclair had their tenures extended by six months from 1 July 2018 to 31 December 2018.

Invest Northern Ireland

Mark Ennis, Chair, had his tenure extended by six months from 1 July 2018 to 31 December 2018. The tenures of Brian Baird, Padraig Canavan and Judith Totten have been extended by six months from 1 July 2018 to 31 December 2018.

Labour Relations Agency (LRA)

Marie Mallon, Chair, and Alison Millar had their tenures extended by six months from 1 July 2018 to 31 December 2018. Also the tenures of Deirdre Fitzpatrick, Gary McMichael, Jill Minne and Daire Murphy have been extended by seven months from 1 June 2018 to 31 December 2018.

Northern Ireland Screen

Dame Rotha Johnston, Chair, had her tenure extended by six months from 1 July 2018 to 31 December 2018.

Northern Regional College

The tenure of Board member Richard Jay has been extended by six months from 1 July 2018 to 31 December 2018.

North West Regional College

Padraig Canavan had his tenure extended for five months from 1 August 2018 to 31 December 2018.

South Eastern Regional College 

Karen Fraser had her tenure extended by five months from 1 August 2018 to 31 December 2018 and Gareth Hetherington had his tenure extended by six months from 1 July 2018 until 31 December 2018.

Stranmillis University College

Professor Desmond Rea, Chair, Ken Nelson and Robert Thompson had their tenures extended by six months from 1 July 2018 to 31 December 2018. The tenures of Dr Esmond Birnie, Richard Hanna, Edgar Jardine, Claire Moore and William Patterson have been extended by five months from 1 August 2018 to 31 December 2018.

Tourism Northern Ireland

The tenures of Board members Angelina Fusco, Terry McCartney, Colin Neill and Michele Shirlow have been extended by six months from 1 July 2018 to 31 December 2018.   

The extensions were made in accordance with the Code of Practice issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments, Northern Ireland (CPANI) which can be viewed on the CPANI website.

Notes to editors:

1. The Construction Industry Training Board is the only remaining statutory training board in Northern Ireland. Its purpose is to encourage the adequate training of those employed or intending to be employed within the Construction Industry in Northern Ireland. The Chair post is remunerated at £18,662 per annum. Board Members are remunerated at the rate of £144 per day for over four hours (£74 for less than four hours) attended.

2. The Consumer Council for Northern Ireland (CCNI) was established in 1985, under the terms of the General Consumer Council (Northern Ireland) Order 1984. The Council is primarily funded by grant-in-aid from the Department for the Economy. The Council’s aim is to make the consumer voice heard and make it count. It has a statutory remit to promote and safeguard the interests of consumers in Northern Ireland and has specific functions in relation to energy, water, transport, postal services and food. These include considering complaints and enquiries, carrying out research and educating and informing consumers. CCNI Board Members’ posts are remunerated at £106.50 per day (one day per month).

3. HSENI is a non-departmental public body (NDPB) with Crown status, funded by grant-in-aid from DfE. It was established on 1 April 1999 by an Order in Council, amending the Health and Safety at Work (Northern Ireland) Order 1978. Its mission is to ensure that risks to people’s health and safety arising from work activities are effectively controlled. Remuneration for Board Members is currently £3,890 per annum.

4. Invest Northern Ireland was established under the Industrial Development Act (Northern Ireland) 2002. Its role is to improve the Northern Ireland economy through business development by focusing on growing jobs (including salaries), innovation, exports, inward investment and entrepreneurship. The Chair post is remunerated at £42,790 per annum and board member remuneration is currently £12,240 per annum.

5. The LRA is a non-departmental public body with responsibility for promoting the improvement of employment relations in Northern Ireland. The LRA provides impartial and independent services for promoting good employment practices and preventing and resolving disputes. Chair remuneration is currently £24,675 per annum with a time commitment of six days per month. Remuneration for a Board Member is currently £5,304 per annum with a time commitment of at least one day per month.

6. The Northern Ireland Screen Commission (trading as Northern Ireland Screen) was established in 1997 to accelerate the development of a dynamic and sustainable film industry and culture in Northern Ireland. Limited by Guarantee, Northern Ireland Screen is a Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB) which was formerly a Department of Culture Arts and Leisure sponsored body. On 9 May 2016 Northern Ireland Screen transferred to the Department for the Economy (DfE) as part of the restructuring of government departments and DfE is now the sponsoring department for Northern Ireland Screen. The Chair post is remunerated at £10,100 per annum.

7. Northern Regional College, North West Regional College and South Eastern Regional College are three of the six Northern Ireland further education colleges. The governing body of a further education college is responsible for securing the efficient and effective management of the college, the provision of suitable further education to its students and determining the college’s strategic direction. In sustaining and developing its services, the governing body takes into account the educational needs of the business sector and the local community. The post of member of a college governing body is remunerated at £250 for a Governing Body meeting and £150 for a committee meeting or event sanctioned by the Chair. Travelling and subsistence allowances are also payable at Northern Ireland Civil Service rates.

8. Stranmillis University College was founded in 1922 by the then recently established Ministry of Education for Northern Ireland to provide state-funded teacher training alongside that already available at the existing St Mary’s College. Both institutions have become academically recognised as university colleges of Queen’s University Belfast. Stranmillis offers teacher training for the primary and secondary school sectors as well as professional development courses, a BA in Early Childhood Studies and a BSc in Health, Physical Activity and Sport. Governing Body posts attract no remuneration but members can receive reasonable travel and subsistence payments for attending meetings.

9. Tourism Northern Ireland is a statutory non-departmental public body (NDPB) established under the Development of Tourist Traffic Act (NI) 1948. Its constitution and continuation were affirmed in the Tourism (NI) Order 1992. Tourism Northern Ireland is funded by the Department for the Economy under Article 7 of the Order, from monies voted by Parliament. Tourism Northern Ireland is the trading name of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board. Board Members are remunerated at £5,205 per annum.

10. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, the Commissioner for Public Appointments, Northern Ireland, requires the political activity of appointees (if any declared) to be published. The extendees have all declared no political activity.

11. Pen pictures:

Construction Industry Training Board

Maurice Johnston, Chair

Maurice is currently Architect/Director for Bryson Architects Ltd in Belfast. A member of both the Royal Institute of British Architects and the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland. Maurice has worked for Bryson Architects Ltd since 1997 holding Director position since 2004. In his current position Maurice oversees private and public sector construction projects ranging from thousands to millions of pounds, having sound commercial knowledge. His role as Director involves company development including personnel, finance and commercial management.

Maurice has been a practicing Architect since the early 1990s with substantial experience in the construction industry, across both the private and public sectors, and from domestic to multi-million pound projects. A specialist recruited member on the Board of the Irish Football Association since 2012 for a £40M national stadium development until its completion in 2016 and on the associated NI Government partnered National Football Stadium Project Board. He does not hold any other public appointments.

Christopher Corken

Christopher has been working for Belfast Metropolitan College since 2003 and is currently Head of Department for Science, Engineering and Construction. Chris holds a Bachelor of Engineering from The Open University, is Member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology and registered with the Engineering Council UK as Incorporated Engineer. Prior to his role at Belfast Met Christopher has 12 years’ experience in the Electrical Building Services sector on commercial and industrial projects across the UK and Ireland.

Christopher develops and implements strategies to support an economically relevant and innovative curriculum in engineering, applied science, built environment and building services providing support to local SMEs through the Department for the Economy programmes such as Assured Skills, Academies and Collaborative Networks.

Christopher was also part of a Curriculum Development Strategy Team working with the Department of Employment and Learning to develop and implement the new Youth Training and Apprenticeship strategies for NI and has been a CITB NI Board Member since 2014. He does not hold any other public appointments.

Siobhan Hassard

Siobhan has over 30 years' experience in staff training and development. She started her career in retail management focusing specifically on staff training and for the past 12 years Siobhan has been employed by McCormack Demolition as Administration Manager. Siobhan's current role involves office management, recruitment and staff training and development. Siobhan also undertakes PA duties to Company Directors and has responsibility for payroll and office administration. Siobhan's current role allowed her to become involved in the NI Demolition Association (NIDA) and she co-ordinated a series of demolition specific training events on behalf of eight member companies. Siobhan does not hold any other public appointments.

David Henry

David has been Managing Director of Henry Brothers Ltd. since 2000 having previously held the post of Contracts Director. Henry Brothers Ltd forms part of the Henry Group of Companies based in Magherafelt. David has overall responsibility for strategy, growth and profitability together with review of capital expenditure and budgets. The company generally operates in the commercial construction market for a variety of government and private clients.

He has achieved Fellowship status of the Chartered Institute of Building and has gained the Institute of Directors Certificate in Company Direction. He is the past President of the Northern Ireland Construction Employers Federation, a member of the CBI Council and a member of IOD Northern Ireland Committee.

David has served on the Rainey Endowed School Board of Governors since January 2014 and is the current chairman of the Property and Development sub Committee (expenses only).

Derek Martin

Derek was previously Joint Managing Director and a Director of H&J Martin Ltd since 1988. He is a graduate in Civil Engineering from Queen’s University Belfast, a Chartered Member of the Institution of Structural Engineers, a Fellow of the Institute of Building and a member of the Institute of Directors. Mr Martin was a member of the Construction Employers Federation Council for many years and is a Past President.

Appointed to the Board of CITB in 2012, he holds two other public appointments, Chair of HSENI, (remuneration £19,245 per annum) and is currently chair of the CITB Board’s Audit and Risk Committee and is one of two Independent Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission Secretariat Audit and Risk Committee (remuneration £337 per day).

Jackie Pollock

Jackie has taken up the role of Regional Secretary of Unite the union, Ireland in January 2018. Prior to that Jackie was a senior official for the union for over a decade and has worked as a full time workers representative since 1996. Jackie’s background is in construction and shipbuilding, a time served plumber he started his working life on construction sites and later joined Harland and Wolff as a plumber/welder for over 16 years.

Jackie, as a leading figure in the Irish trade union movement, has served as chair of the Northern Ireland Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions since 2013. Jackie has been a CITB NI Board Member since 2014. Throughout his time as a workers representative Jackie has continuously pushed to improve the conditions of all workers but young workers and apprentices in particular, Jackie sits on the board of the Engineering Training Council and the Joint Industry Board and has played an integral role in pioneering new approaches for preserving the construction trades such as ‘SparkSafe’ and other initiatives.

Jackie is also a Director in the Greater Shankill Partnership through his intensive community and voluntary involvement.  He does not hold any public appointments.

Customer Council for Northern Ireland

David Beattie BA MIB

After leaving school, David commenced employment in Northern Bank where he spent 14 years before joining the Ulster Bank in the late 90's as Marketing Strategy Manager.  He has since occupied a number of Senior roles within Ulster Bank and more recently was the Head of Tesco Bank in Ireland, based in Dublin.  As a marketing professional David has also won a number of National Awards for innovation and marketing execution.

David has been involved in a number of charitable groups over the years, has a keen interest in all sports and lists rugby as his sporting passion. He does not hold any other public appointments.

David Galloway

David is the UK lead for eye clinic services at the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) having previously served as the charity's Northern Ireland Director from July 2013 to March 2018. Prior to joining RNIB, David held a number of senior roles in the DHSSPS during a 28 year long career in the Northern Ireland Civil Service. He is also a member of the Northern Ireland Advisory Group for Action on Hearing Loss. He has a BA in Business Studies, completed at the University of Ulster and in 2008 completed a public sector leadership programme at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard. He does not hold any other public appointments.

Health and Safety Executive NI

Harry Sinclair

Harry is a livestock farmer from Co. Londonderry. He was active in Young Farmers for many years and then became involved in the Ulster Farmers Union where he served as president from 2012 to 2014, and the went on to serve as a vice president of COPA, a collective of 57 farming unions from across all the member states of the European Union.

During his time as president, farm safety was one of his priorities, and he was one of the initial drivers in the establishment of the Farm Safety Partnership.

Harry also serves as a board member of the Livestock and Meat Commission with remuneration of £6,485 per annum.

Tom Wright

Tom Wright retired as acting deputy chief fire officer from the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service in 2011 after 33 years’ service. He is a Fellow of the Institution of Fire Engineers and also a Fellow of the Institute of Leadership and Management. He graduated from the University of Ulster in 2000 with a Masters Degree in business administration and in 2010 successfully completed the Executive Critical Leadership Development Programme at Queens University.

Tom is a former board member of Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service and currently sits on the board of governors of Oakwood Integrated Primary School (no remuneration).

Invest Northern Ireland

Mark Ennis, CBE, Chair

Mark was appointed Chairman of Invest Northern Ireland on 1 January 2012. He has been Chairman of SSE (Ireland) since 1 October 2010. Mark continues to have input to Public and Regulatory Affairs at Ministerial level and an overview for Public relations for all SSE activities in Ireland. In June 2016 he was awarded a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to business and the economy in Northern Ireland.

In October 2013 he was appointed as a Non-Executive Director of Liberty Insurance Ltd where he also serves as Chairman of the Risk Committee and a member of the Audit Committee. In addition he serves as a non-executive Director of a number of small start-up companies.

In December 2010 he was appointed to the Economic Advisory Group set up to advise the Minister for the Economy on economic policy in relation to matters such as productivity and access to finance. In addition to his business activities, Mark was appointed by Minister Poots to an advisory panel for the review of Health and Social Care (1 Sept 2011 – 30 Nov 2011). In February 2012 – May 2013 Mark was appointed by Minister Foster and Minister Poots to serve on a Task and Finish Group to report and make specific recommendations on how to deliver business opportunities and drive economic growth out of the £4.5 billion Health and Social Services budget.

Mark is a past Chairman of CBI Northern Ireland (1999-2000). He was Chairman of the Management Leadership Network (2002 -2008) an organisation established in 2002 to encourage leadership development in NI’s small businesses. He is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Management.

An Economic Honours Graduate of Queens University of Belfast, with an Open University MBA, Queens further honoured him in 2001 with their Graduate of the Year award for services to industry. He does not hold any other public appointments.

Mark actively supports local charities and has served on the fundraising committees of the Marie Curie Cancer Foundation and the Simon Community. He is married with four children. He enjoys sailing, golfing and skiing.

Brian Baird

Brian is currently Chairman of a Northern Ireland based content product company and non-executive director at two other technology product companies. He has had experience of being a Board member for a number of local technology companies as well as having established his own successful content product company in 2001 which he subsequently sold. This was after having an extensive career with ICL in a number of senior positions. He holds an honorary doctorate from the University of Ulster. He does not hold any other public appointments.

Padraig Canavan

Padraig founded, ran and sold the international software house Singularity.  He owns Devine Software (t/a Scattr) & Canavan Software and is chair & a shareholder of Hunter Apparel Solutions (Derry), independent software vendors Flowforma (Dublin),  & LitheIT (Glasgow)  In additional non remunerated capacities he chairs lobby group U4D seeking significant expansion of Ulster University's Magee Campus, and sits on the boards of the Londonderry Chamber of Commerce (past president), St Mary's College(Derry), the North West Regional College ( board members are remunerated at £250 for a Governing Body Meeting; £150 for a committee meeting or event sanctioned by Chair) , the Verbal Arts Centre and Derry & Strabane District Council’s Education and Skills Delivery Partnership.  He is an active seed investor.

Judith Totten

Judith is the founder and Managing Director of Upstream Working Capital Ltd, an independent provider of working capital funding, trade and supply chain funding and credit management support to businesses across Northern Ireland. She had a lengthy career in business banking, principally with Danske Bank (Northern Bank Ltd) before setting up her own business in 2011. A passionate advocate for business across NI, Judith is actively involved in funding, mentoring and advising business owners across a wide range of industry sectors. Judith is very well networked and aside from her own business is committed to supporting the key business bodies such as the CBI, IOD and Chamber of Commerce as well as sitting on the fund raising committees for The Princes Trust and The Community Foundation NI. She does not hold any other public appointments.

Labour Relations Agency

Marie Mallon, Chair

Marie Mallon was appointed to the Chair of the Labour Relations Agency with effect from 1 August 2014 following her retirement from the post of Deputy Chief Executive/Director of HR in the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust. Prior to this Marie held many senior posts within Health and Social Care and was a member of the Industrial and Fair Employment Tribunals for 15 years. Marie also sat as an independent member on the Departmental Boards of DCAL and DFI. She is currently an associate of the Health and Social Care Leadership Centre and also undertakes independent HR consultancy. She does not hold any other public appointments.

Alison Millar

Alison Millar is the General Secretary of Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance (NIPSA).  She has overall responsibility for the general work of the union as well as the management of all the staff and finances of the union.  Alison is the key representative on many of the civil and public service negotiating bodies.  Alison was previously the Deputy General Secretary for NIPSA and had responsibility for major policy issues including Welfare Reform., Review of Public Administration and matters relevant to the Health Service, Education, Libraries, Housing Executive and Local Government. Alison is also the Vice-Chairperson of the Northern Ireland Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and the Vice-President of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. She does not hold any other public appointments.

Deirdre Fitzpatrick

Deirdre Fitzpatrick was appointed on the 1 December 2014 as an Independent Member to the Board. Deirdre is a management consultant, and runs her own consultancy practice.  She works across the public, private and voluntary sectors, and is very active in training, consultancy and mentoring work with SMEs.  Deirdre set up Northern Ireland's first Business Incubation Centre, and she also established a property management company. Deirdre is a former Board Member of NI Consumer Council, and chairs the LRA Audit and Risk Assurance Committee. Deirdre holds an honours degree in Business with Accounting, MBA, and a Certificate in Commercial Law from Queens University. She does not hold any other public appointments.

Gary McMichael

Gary McMichael has been the Chief Officer of the Northern Ireland charity Action on Substances through Community Education and Related Training (ASCERT) since 2001. He formerly served on Lisburn City Council for 12 years and was a member of the NI Civic Forum. He does not hold any other public appointments.

Jill Minne

Jill Minne is Strategic HR Director for the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS). 

She leads NICS HR, an organisation providing HR services and strategic HR advice to all government Departments, to enable a well led, high performing, outcome focused and inclusive NICS. 

Previously Director of Organisational Development for Belfast City Council, the largest council in Northern Ireland, she worked for the Council for over 20 years leading change management, HR, communications, diversity and inclusion and employability and skills programmes.

Before she joined Belfast City Council Jill worked in HR in the private sector. She is a board member and ambassador for the Women’s Fund NI. She does not hold any other public appointments.

Daire Murphy

Daire Murphy is an Employee Representative and a Regional Casework Official with the NASUWT, The Teachers' Union. He has previously worked in the voluntary sector, as an Employment Legal Adviser at the Law Centre (NI), representing workers and employees, and as a barrister in general practice. Daire is a member of the Committee of the Employment Lawyers Group NI and an accredited Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR) Employment and Workplace Mediator. He does not hold any other public appointments.

Northern Ireland Screen

Dame Rotha Johnston CBE

Rotha Johnston took up her post as Chairwoman in June 2013. A Queen’s University graduate, Ms Johnston has had a career in the textile, the economic development and the food sectors. She currently has various investment interests primarily in the property sector.

In addition, Rotha holds a number of non-executive positions including Director of Northern Ireland Electricity, Member of KPMG NI Advisory Board and a Belfast Harbour Commissioner (current remuneration at £12,300 per annum). Rotha is also a Director at Qubis, a position that not remunerated.

Previously she was a shareholder and director of Variety Foods Ltd, a food service company supplying the Irish market; Head of Marketing in Moygashel Textiles, part of Lamont Holdings and Business Development Director, LEDU.

Ms Johnston was also a BBC Trustee, Pro Chancellor at Queen’s University Belfast and Deputy Chair of Invest Northern Ireland

In 2006 she was awarded the CBE in recognition of her contribution to industry in Northern Ireland and in 2016 was made a Dame.

Northern Regional College

Richard Jay

Richard has over 40 years of professional experience in education. Prior to his retirement in 2010, he was Director of Education in the School of Education at Queen’s University Belfast. In the course of his academic career, Richard co-founded the Political Studies Association of Ireland and was instrumental in creating the Centre for Cross-Border Studies, serving on the Board of the Centre for several years. He was an active member of the Queen’s Association of University Teachers during the 1990s, serving as Secretary and Chair, and participated as staff representative on the Queen’s Senate for six years. He previously served as Chair for the Forum for Community Work Education, now Community Change.

Richard is currently in an extended second term as a governor at the College, and prior to this served at one of its predecessor organisations, North East Institute of Higher and Further Education. Alongside Chairing the Education Committee, Mr Jay is the Governing Body representative on the College’s Safeguarding Committee, having undertaken the appropriate training. He does not hold any other public appointments.

North West Regional College

Padraig Canavan (see under Invest NI heading)

South Eastern Regional College

Karen Fraser

Karen currently works at Queen’s University Belfast (QUB), where she started in November 2015, and is the lead for the Queens Merit Scheme (UKPSF) work with Faculties and Schools on Assessment strategies and works with students on partnership projects.

Karen has 16 years’ experience working in pedagogic research and educational development. She started academic life as a Teaching Fellow in the School of Computing & Mathematics at Ulster University where her research interest was in student engagement and student retentions. She also has extensive experience designing, developing and delivering academic enhancement projects & workshops in employability, assessment & feedback, students as partners, professional development and getting started in pedagogic research.

Karen a professional member of the British Computer Society, a Fellow of the Staff and Educational Development Association, a professional member of SIGCSE (Special Group Computer Science Education), a member of the JISC Learning and Teaching Practice Experts Group (Curriculum Design) and a Member of Computing Science Graduate Employment Steering Group (HEFCE & BIS).

At the weekend she volunteers with the National Trust as a house guide at Mount Stewart. She does not hold any other public appointments.

Gareth Hetherington

Gareth is a qualified accountant and member of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy. He has worked in economics and public policy for over 20 years and is Director of the Ulster University Economic Policy Centre.  He does not hold any other public appointments.

Stranmillis University College

Professor Emeritus Sir Desmond Rea OBE

Professor Rea's Experience as a Non-Executive Director (NED) includes: in Private Sector: United Diary Farmers, AIB Group (UK) and NIJobs. In Public Sector: He is a former Chair of the Northern Ireland (NI) Policing Board, NI Labour Relations Agency and NI Local Government Staff Commission. He is a former Chair of four education bodies: NI Schools Examination Council, NI Schools Examination and Assessment Council (CCEA) and Methodist College.  At present he is a NED (representing NI) on the Security Industry Authority, in which capacity he chairs the HR and Remuneration Committee.

In Voluntary Sector he is a former Chairman of the Ulster Orchestra and is currently a NED of the NI Institute for The Disabled.

His other experience includes Editor, First Trust Bank's Quarterly Economic Outlook & Business Review for some 25 years. He is also a CEDR Accredited Mediator. He does not hold any other public appointments.

Ken Nelson MBE

Ken has extensive involvement in enterprise development and the social economy as chief executive of Local Economic Development Company (LEDCOM) Ltd. In 2010 he was the sole Northern Ireland recipient of the Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion. Ken has over 20 years’ experience working as a business advisor, mentor and trainer with entrepreneurs, start-up companies, small businesses and social enterprises. He has over 17 years’ experience working as an economic development advisor to a local authority. Ken was one of the founding directors and former Chairman of Enterprise Northern Ireland.

Ken is a voluntary member of the board of directors of two social enterprises.

Before joining LEDCOM, Ken had a career in textiles as a textile technologist, production manager and product manager. During this period he was also responsible for research and development and marketing in relation to new product development. He has a BA in Business Studies, MBA and MSc in Human Resource Management.

Ken was appointed a co-optee board member of the Northern Regional College in 2009 and reappointed in 2014 (board members are remunerated at £250 for a Governing Body Meeting; £150 for a committee meeting or event sanctioned by Chair). He was appointed as a board member of Invest NI in 2012 and reappointed in 2015 (current remuneration amount at £12,240 per annum).

In December 2016 he was appointed as Chairman of InterTradeIreland.

In the 2018 Queen’s New Year’s Honours, Ken was awarded an MBE for services to economic development and the community & voluntary sector.

Robert Thompson

Robert, a former student of Stranmillis, served the last 32 years of his professional career as Principal of Doagh Primary School. He is Chair of a local primary school and Governor of two large post-primary schools, in one of which, he is Chair of the Finance Committee. He has been a member of the North Eastern Education & Library Board (travel expenses only). Mr Thompson is a Council Member of the Council for the Curriculum Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) (travel expenses only) and an External Adviser for Headteachers' PRSD (Performance Review and Staff Development). He does not hold any other public appointments.

Dr Esmond Birnie

Dr Esmond Birnie is currently Senior Economist in the Ulster University Economic Policy Centre. Previously he was Chief Economist in Northern Ireland for PwC (2010-16) and during 2007-10 Ministerial Special Advisor in the Department for Employment and Learning. He was a MLA during 1998-2007. Prior to that he was a Lecturer and Senior Lecturer in Economics in Queen's University Belfast. He does not hold any other public appointments.

Richard Hanna

Richard is Director of Education and Language in the Ulster Scots Agency. Prior to that he was Director of Education Strategy in the Northern Ireland Council for Curriculum Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) where he had responsibility for developing policy advice related to curriculum, assessment and reporting and for providing support and guidance to schools. He was responsible for implementing statutory assessment and reporting arrangements in Northern Ireland schools.  Richard held a number of management positions in CCEA which included development and support for qualifications, e-learning and the use of ICT to support teaching and learning. He led a number of critical programmes including the development of on-screen marking of examinations, system wide adaptive computer-based assessment in literacy and numeracy. His postgraduate study was focused in the use of technology to support teaching and learning.  Before joining CCEA, Richard was a post-primary teacher with 18 years' experience where he held a number of management roles. He does not hold any public appointments.

Edgar Jardine CB

Edgar Jardine is a graduate of Queen's University Belfast where he studied Psychology at undergraduate level before returning to QUB to take a Master's degree in Developmental and Educational Psychology.

Edgar is a former Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency and has served at senior level in the Office of the First and Deputy Minister and in the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure and as Interim Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Policing Board.

He was awarded the CB in 2012 for public service. Since retirement from the Northern Ireland Civil Service Mr Jardine has served in a number of non-executive roles. He was appointed to the Probation Board for Northern Ireland in 2012 where he is the Chair of the Policy and Practice Committee. He is a member of the Public Affairs Council of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland and is a Transferors' representative to the Education Authority where he is Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee.

He was appointed to the Stranmillis University College Governing Body on 1 August 2014 and is Chair of the Finance and General Purposes Committee. He does not hold any other public appointments.

Claire Moore

Claire Moore is currently Bursar and Secretary to the Governing Body of the Royal Belfast Academical Institution (RBAI). She is also a Member of the CAFRE Advisory Group.

Claire was formerly the Director of Finance and Corporate Development for the Northern Regional College. She has worked in the Education and Training sectors for 20 years. Previously she worked in the Audit and Economic & Social Policy Departments of Deloitte.

She is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland. She does not hold any public appointments.

William Patterson

William Patterson has held various posts in the area of employment relations. From 1978-1980 he held the post of Industrial Relations Officer with British Aluminium. From 1980-1990 he held various positions in Personnel with the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. From 1990-1993 he was Director (Administration and Personnel) with the Northern Health & Social Services Board (Loughside).

Prior to joining the Labour Relations Agency he was employed by Belfast City Council from 1993 to 1996 as Head of Human Resources. Mr Patterson joined the Labour Relations Agency in 1996 as Chief Executive from which post he retired in 2015.

Mr Patterson is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development. He does not hold any other public appointments.

Tourism NI

Angelina Fusco

Angelina Fusco, Assoc. CIPD, is an independent communications and media training consultant across traditional and digital media platforms. She works as an associate trainer for Belfast based Channel56. She has been involved in highlighting the issue of journalism and trauma in the UK and in post conflict zones since being awarded an Ochberg Fellowship from the Dart Centre, Columbia University in 2012.

Angelina was a journalist in BBC Northern Ireland for more than thirty years holding a variety of roles, including 15 years as Head of the local television news brand, BBC Newsline, providing coverage of all breaking news stories and live programmes on special local events.

Angelina has been a member of the Board of TNI since July 2014.  She has been a member of the NI Committee of the Heritage Lottery Fund since March 2015.  In June 2018 Angelina was appointed to the Content Board of Ofcom. She is a member of St Anne's Parish Pastoral Council. She does not hold any public appointments.

Terry McCartney

Terry McCartney is the owner and manager of the award winning Belmore Court & Motel in Enniskillen and is responsible for the day to day leadership and management of the 60-bedroom, four star guest accommodation.

He was a lecturer in Hospitality and Computers at the South West College in Fermanagh and prior to that he held positions as a Field Sales Executive for Finlay Hydrascreens and Promotion and Sales Executive for Dillon Bass.

In 2011, Terry held the position of Sheriff of County Fermanagh. He is also a rugby referee and an amateur photographer. He does not hold any other public appointments.

Colin Neill

Colin Neill joined Hospitality Ulster (the industry body of Northern Ireland’s hospitality industry) as Chief Executive in August 2008, representing an industry that sustains 60,000 jobs and contributes £1billion annually to the NI economy.  Colin holds an MBA from the Ulster University, is a member of the Institute of Directors and the Northern Ireland Assembly and Business Trust. He does hold any other public appointments.

Michelle Shirlow

Michelle is the Chief Executive of FoodNI, dedicated to enhancing the reputation of food and drink from Northern Ireland.  Following delivery of the first ever Year of Food and Drink in 2016, which increased visitor attitudes towards NI food and drink by 23%, Michele is spearheading the Taste the Greatness strategy to establish Northern Ireland as a leading food region in the UK by 2021. FoodNI is a membership organisation which represents over 450 member companies (including 200 Taste of Ulster Restaurants) and Tourism NI’s strategic partner in food and drink supporting the industry to achieve greatness. She does not hold any public appointments.

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