Magee Expansion
Background
The expansion is a priority action committed to by the Northern Ireland Executive in the New Decade New Approach agreement and Programme for Government 2024-27. The taskforce was tasked with developing an action plan with associated timescales and approximate costings to achieve 10,000 students at the Magee campus.
Ulster University Magee Taskforce Terms of Reference
Important information
Notice board
Minutes from previous meetings are available: UU Magee Taskforce meetings - minutes
Interim report
The taskforce published an interim report in September 2024.
Final report and action plan
On 16 December 2024, the taskforce published its final report and action plan:
Update Report
On 14 January 2026, the taskforce published its update report. This is a one year on update on progress made since the previous report in December 2024.
Chair and vice-chair
Chair
The chair of the Ulster University Magee Taskforce is Stephen Kelly, CEO of Manufacturing NI.
Vice-chair
The vice-chair is Nicola Skelly, Executive Director, Washington Ireland Programme.
Members
Members of the Ulster University Magee Taskforce include key stakeholders from higher education, business, government and local government.
Taskforce membership
Taskforce members are:
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Professor Paul Bartholomew | Vice-Chancellor, Ulster University |
| Professor Paul Seawright OBE | Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Ulster University |
| Tracey Teague | Deputy Secretary, Skills and Education Group, Department for the Economy |
| Steven Lindsay | Deputy Vice President, Londonderry Chamber of Commerce |
| Alison Wallace | Strategy Manager, Waterside Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership |
| Paddy Mackel | Representative from University and College Union |
| Paul Hannigan | Head of College, Atlantic Technological University, Donegal |
| Emily Smyth | President, Ulster University Students Union |
| Dawn McLaughlin | Non-Executive Director, Invest NI |
| John Kelpie | Chief Executive, Derry City & Strabane District Council |
| Leo Murphy | Principal and Chief Executive, North West Regional College |
| Gavin Killeen MBE | Managing Director, Nuprint Technologies Limited |
| Mary MacIntrye OBE MRTPI | Chartered town planner |
| Ian McKenna | Principal Officer, Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science or the Higher Education Authority |
| Philip Rodgers | Director of Workforce Policy, Department of Health |