Pen picture - Dame Rotha Johnston

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, economic development and food sectors. She currently has various investment interests primarily in the property sector.

In addition, Rotha holds a number of non-executive positions including Chair of Northern Ireland Electricity and Member of KPMG NI Advisory Board. Rotha is also a Director at Qubis and Ulster Garden Villages.

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.

Rotha also held the role of 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. She does not hold any other public appointments.