Minister Archibald appoints six members to Northern Regional College Governing Body
Date published:
Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald has announced the appointment of six new members to the governing body of Northern Regional College (NRC).
The appointees are Dr Murat Akser, Mr John Birkenhead, Mr John D'Arcy OBE, Mr Connor Lundy, Miss Clare Mullan and Miss Banke Opebiyi.
The six appointments are effective from 18 September 2026 and are for a period of four years.
Notes to editors:
- Pen pictures of the appointees are available on the DfE website
2. The appointments are made in accordance with the Code of Practice issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland. More information is available on the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland website
3. NRC is one 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.
4. The post of Governing Body member is remunerated at £250 for a governing body meeting and £150 for a committee meeting or event sanctioned by the Chair plus travel and subsistence allowances which are payable at Northern Ireland Civil Service rates in respect of activities carried out whilst fulfilling their duties.
5. 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. None of the six appointees has undertaken any political activity in the last five years.
6. For media enquiries contact the Department for the Economy Press Office.
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