Reappointments to governing bodies of Belfast Metropolitan College, Southern Regional College and South West College - pen pictures

Belfast Metropolitan College

Mr Bill Montgomery 

Mr Bill Montgomery has 34 years' experience in economic development working for the Industrial Development Board and Invest Northern Ireland. An engineering graduate of Queen’s University Belfast he also later attained an MBA in International Business & Industrial Development from the University of Ulster. Bill had a variety of roles in economic development, including leading the sales and marketing teams in North America for 11 years promoting Northern Ireland as an investment location to many major US corporations. Director roles in Northern Ireland have included leading the International Investment Division, negotiating and securing high value Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) projects, promoting thousands of new skilled jobs, and more recently encouraging export growth and innovation within the advanced manufacturing sectors.

Bill was appointed to the board of the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) in May 2022 with a time commitment requiring approximately 20 days per annum renumerated at £477 per diem.

In 2023 Bill was awarded an OBE for his contribution to the Northern Ireland economy.

Southern Regional College

Mr Stuart Harper 

Mr Stuart Harper has been a qualified solicitor for 21 years, having qualified in 2005. He has extensive experience working in the legal sector, both in private practice and in-house roles.

Stuart currently works as Deputy Director at the Institute of Professional Legal Studies, Queen’s University Belfast where he teaches trainee solicitors and barristers.

Stuart has a passion for work in the charity sector and is an Education Authority-appointed board member (non-remunerated) of a local school as well as a trustee of a local charity.

Stuart has an LLB, a Certificate in Professional Legal Studies and a Post Graduate Certificate in Higher Education Teaching from Queen’s University in Belfast. Stuart holds a Masters in Advanced Legal Practice (Distinction) and has appeared on behalf of the Law Society of Northern Ireland before Stormont Select Committees in relation to proposed new legislation.

Stuart does not hold any other public appointments.

South West College

Mrs Maureen Brunt

Mrs Maureen Brunt started her career in finance and moved to the voluntary sector where she has worked for over 25 years. Currently working as a business and well-being consultant, Mrs Brunt brings extensive experience in community development, strategy development, health and well-being and life-coaching.

Maureen has a BSc (Hons) in Psychology and is a member of British Psychological Society as well as being a Fellow of the Federation of Holistic Therapists, a member of Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, Chartered Institute of Bankers and Institute of Bankers (Ireland). She recently completed a Diploma in Environment, Sustainability and Climate through University College Cork.

Mrs Brunt serves as Non-Executive Director with the Drainage Council for NI (unremunerated and with a time commitment of approximately 4 days per year).  She is on the Audit Committee of the Probation Board NI (remunerated at £5,050 per annum with a time commitment of a minimum of 25 days per annum).  She is a non-executive (Lay) Member of the Business Services Organisation (BSO) (carries remuneration of £6,332 per annum with a time commitment of 3 days per month), and as a Commissioner with Equality Commission NI. She manages her husband’s dairy farm and property interests and enjoys her role as a local preacher with Methodist Church Ireland.

Mrs Brunt has been a member of the Governing Body of South West College since September 2022.