Economy Minister launches Ulster University Magee Taskforce

Economy Minister Conor Murphy has launched a taskforce to develop and oversee an action plan to expand Ulster University’s Derry~Londonderry campus to 10,000 students.

Pictured at the launch of the Ulster University Magee Taskforce are (l-r) Taskforce Vice Chair Nicola Skelly; Taskforce Chair Stephen Kelly; Economy Minister Conor Murphy; and Vice-Chancellor of Ulster University Prof Paul Bartholomew.

The Minister said:

“The expansion of Ulster University’s campus in Derry is key to promoting regional balance, in line with my economic vision.  Increasing the city’s student population will be a catalyst for economic development in the North West region. The taskforce will put together a comprehensive plan for expansion, including the capital and infrastructure requirements, and the wider environment needed in the city for the student population to grow and thrive.”

Stephen Kelly, Chief Executive of Manufacturing NI, has been appointed Chair of the taskforce and Nicola Skelly, Executive Director of the Washington Ireland Program, as Vice Chair. 

The Minister said:

“I am pleased to announce the appointment of Stephen and Nicola as Chair and Vice Chair of this taskforce. Their experience, leadership and expertise will ensure the delivery of a robust action plan that will guide us to achieving 10,000 students at the campus, which will be a significant milestone for the North West region and the economy.”

Stephen Kelly said: 

“I am delighted to have been asked by the Minister to lead this piece of work which is critical for both the university and the North West. I look forward to working with all taskforce members and other stakeholders, including the local community, to ensure delivery of a campus for 10,000 students at Magee, which supports the Minister’s economic vision. There is a lot of work to do and we plan to get started immediately.”

Membership of the taskforce will consist of representatives from a range of organisations in higher education, business, the trade union movement, the voluntary and community sector, government and local government. 

Professor Paul Bartholomew, Vice-Chancellor of Ulster University, will represent the university on the taskforce. 

Professor Bartholomew said:

“At Ulster University, we remain completely committed to growth at our Derry~Londonderry campus, in line with our strategic commitment for better regional balance. We welcome the launch of this taskforce and look forward to working together with the Minister, the Department, and the wider taskforce to explore together how the operating environment might be developed to facilitate further and sustainable growth in Derry~Londonderry.”

Expansion of the campus to 10,000 students was a commitment in New Decade New Approach. The taskforce is expected to deliver an action plan within nine months of appointment and will initially be in place for a three-year term. The first meeting of the taskforce is expected to take place in early April.

Notes to editors: 

1. Photo caption: Pictured at the launch of the Ulster University Magee Taskforce are (l-r) Taskforce Vice Chair Nicola Skelly; Taskforce Chair Stephen Kelly; Economy Minister Conor Murphy; and Vice-Chancellor of Ulster University Prof Paul Bartholomew.

2. Full membership of the taskforce will be announced in coming days. 

3. Stephen Kelly bio – As CEO of Manufacturing NI since 2013, Stephen has represented the interests of the sector to Governments in NI, UK, the EU, and the US in areas which impact on Northern Ireland’s position as a location to create, invest and grow a manufacturing business. He was at the forefront of the local business community’s work on Brexit and response to and building from Covid. Previously Stephen was Chief Executive of the Derry ~ Londonderry City Centre Initiative, CEO of the Federation of the Retail Licensed Trade and Managing Director of an international marketing and communications firm.  He was a member of the UK Government’s Board of Trade, UK National President of Junior Chamber International, Vice Chair of the NI Assembly and Business Trust and the BBC’s Broadcasting Council.  He is currently on the Board of Derry-based charity In Your Space Circus and a Visiting Professor in Ulster University’s Business School. 

4. Nicola Skelly bio – Nicola Skelly has been Executive Director of the Washington Ireland Program (WIP) since November 2022. Nicola leads a team across offices in Belfast and Washington, D.C. and is responsible for all aspects of leadership, from external engagement with key stakeholders in the US, Ireland and Northern Ireland, to fundraising, communications, alumni engagement, finance and governance. Prior to her role at WIP, Nicola had twenty years’ senior leadership experience in higher level education, heading up the Vice-Chancellor’s office at Queen’s University Belfast from 2006-2022, and holding a previous position as Head of the University’s Research Policy and Postgraduate Office. An advisor to five Vice-Chancellors at Queen’s University, Nicola provided integral support on complex and sensitive issues, and has worked closely with global figures such as Hillary Rodham Clinton, whilst leading the development and implementation of the work of the Queen’s University Executive Board.

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