Economy Minister appoints new member to the Board of Invest NI
Date published:
Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald has appointed Maria McAllister to the Board of Invest NI, following the resignation of Peter Lynch.
The appointment will be effective from 1 August 2026 to 31 March 2029.
Making the appointment, the Minister said:
“I am pleased to appoint Maria McAllister as a member of the Invest NI Board. Maria brings valuable experience in governance and risk management, and will be a valuable addition to the Board as Invest NI continues its work to support businesses, attract investment and drive economic growth across the north.”
The Minister added:
“I would also like to thank Peter Lynch for his commitment and positive contribution during his time on the Board.”
The appointment has been made in accordance with the Code of Practice issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland.
Notes to editors:
- Invest NI was established under the Industrial Development Act (Northern Ireland) 2002. It is the region’s economic development agency and a key delivery partner of the Department for the Economy. It supports local entrepreneurs and global investors by helping businesses grow, innovate and compete internationally through targeted programmes, expert advice and sector-specific support.
- Peter Lynch has resigned from the Board of Invest NI due to personal circumstances.
- Maria McAllister is an experienced Non Executive Director and an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, bringing over 30 years of strategic, financial, governance and risk management expertise, largely gained within the financial services industry. She has held senior leadership roles at Bank of Ireland, where she played a key role in major organisational programmes across cultural transformation, business development, governance and risk oversight, and the delivery of good customer outcomes. Her career also includes leading collaborative business network initiatives that strengthened industry engagement and professional development. Maria currently serves as Transformation and Governance Director at GM Marketing (Ireland) Limited. She is also a Non Executive Director with the NOW Group, an award winning social enterprise based in Belfast and Dublin. The organisation supports people who are neurodiverse, autistic or have a learning difficulty by enabling access to training and sustainable employment. Maria’s board level contribution strengthens governance, strategic planning and social impact delivery. An award-winning mentor and a recipient of the Gold Sovereign Award at Bank of Ireland, Maria is a fervent advocate for inclusion and diversity. Educated at Queen’s University Belfast and the University of Ulster, Maria is a member of the Institute of Directors. Maria holds no other public appointments.
- The appointment will be for a period of 2 years and 8 months, aligning the end date with the three-year term of those Board members appointed in April 2026. Remuneration for Board members is currently £15,565 per annum.
- All appointments are made based on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. The Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland requires the political activity of appointees, if any is declared, to be published. Maria McAllister has had no political activity in the last five years.
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