Dodds appoints governing body chair at Northern Regional College
Date published:
Economy Minister Diane Dodds has appointed Mr Ken Nelson as chair of the governing body of Northern Regional College (NRC).
Mr Nelson’s appointment is effective from 1 July 2021 and is for a period of four years.
Commenting on the appointment, the Minister said:
‘’The position of chair provides a significant opportunity to positively influence the provision of skills in Northern Ireland. Under Mr Nelson’s leadership, the governing body can help the college to provide the skills needed to drive our economic recovery post Covid-19 and help to build a modern economy, which includes supporting the most disadvantaged towards sustainable career pathways.”
The appointment has been made in accordance with the Code of Practice of the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland.
Notes to editors:
- NRC is one of the six further education colleges in Northern Ireland. Colleges are non-departmental public bodies of the Department for the Economy, which are established under the Further Education (Northern Ireland) Order 1997. The Governing Body (GB) 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 delivering college services, the GB takes into account the educational needs of the business sector and the local community.
- The post of GB Chair is remunerated at a rate of £20,000 per annum, plus travel and subsistence allowances which are payable at Northern Ireland Civil Service rates in respect of activities carried out whilst fulfilling their duties.
- All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland requires the political activity of appointees (if any declared) to be published. Ken Nelson has not undertaken any political activity in the last five years.
- Ken Nelson has extensive and proven experience in local, regional and cross-border economic development, through various executive and non-executive positions over the last 30 years. As CEO of LEDCOM he has significant experience working with entrepreneurs, start-up and scale-up SMEs, micro enterprises and social enterprises. Appointed in 2016 by the North South Ministerial Council, he is the current Chairman of InterTradeIreland, the Cross-Border Trade and Business Development Body. He previously served on the board of Invest Northern Ireland from 2012 to 2020, as well as being a former Chairman of Enterprise Northern Ireland. Ken is a member of the board of Governors of Stranmillis University College (non-remunerated, travel & subsistence expenses only). In 2010 he was the sole Northern Ireland recipient of the Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion. Ken was appointed MBE for services to local economic development and the voluntary sector in the Queen’s 2018 New Year’s Honours List. He has a BA in Business Studies, MBA and MSc in Human Resource Management, as well as being a Chartered Manager (CMgr) and Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute (FCMI).
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