Minister appoints governing body Chairs to Belfast Metropolitan College and North West Regional College
Date published:
Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald has appointed Mrs Jacqueline Dixon MBE as Chair of the governing body of Belfast Metropolitan College (BMC) and Professor Malachy Ó Néill as Chair of the governing body of North West Regional College (NWRC).
Both have been appointed from 11 June 2025 for a period of four years.
Commenting on the appointments, Minister Archibald said: “Our local further education colleges are central to the delivery of skills and learning to people across the north. I am pleased to appoint Mrs Dixon and Professor Ó Néill to the role of Chair at Belfast Met and North West Regional College respectively and wish them well as they take up their roles.”
The appointments were made in accordance with the Code of Practice issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland.
Notes to editors:
1. BMC and NWRC are two of six further education colleges in Northern Ireland sponsored by the Department for the Economy (DfE). Colleges are non-departmental public bodies of DfE, which are established under the Further Education (Northern Ireland) Order 1997. Each governing body (GB) 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.
2. Mrs Dixon and Professor Ó Néill have been appointed following a recent public appointment competition. Pen pictures are available on the DfE website.
3. 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.
4. 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. The two appointees have not undertaken any political activity in the last five years.
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