Minister extends appointment of Interim Governing Body Chair to Northern Regional College
Date published:
Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald has extended the appointment of Mr Colm McKenna as Interim Chair of the Governing Body of Northern Regional College.
His term has been extended from 9 September 2026 for a period of up to eight months, or until a substantive Chair is appointed, whichever is sooner.
Commenting on the appointment, Minister Archibald said:
“I am pleased to extend the appointment of Mr McKenna. This will provide continuity of leadership at the College and support a smooth transition when a substantive Chair is appointed.”
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:
1. Northern Regional College (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.
2. Following a long and successful career in Financial Services, which included leadership positions in Corporate Treasury, International Banking, Trade Finance and Marketing, Mr McKenna retired from the industry in 2008. He is a former Chair of the NI Public Sector Chairs Forum and the NI Confederation for Health and Social Care. He has served as Chair and Non-Executive Director across a range of large public sector organisations including Chair of South Eastern HSC Trust (2008-2019), Chair of the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (2014 – 2019), Chair of the NI Food Advisory Committee and Board Member for the NI Food Standards Agency (2016 – 2022). He also served as Non-Executive Director and/or Chair of Audit Committee at the NI Assembly Secretariat (2010 – 2016), NI Courts and Tribunal Services (2011 – 2019), ILEX URC Ltd (2010 -2016) and the NI Policing Board (2018 – 2022). Mr McKenna was a Department for the Economy Non-Executive Director from 2017 until February 2023 and served as Interim Chair to the Board of Invest NI until February 2024. He currently serves on the Department of Justice as independent Board Member and Chair of Audit and Risk Assurance Committee. He does not hold any other public appointments.
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/extensions to appointment 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. Mr McKenna has not undertaken any political activity in the last five years.
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