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14 February 2005

APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF STRANMILLIS UNIVERSITY COLLEGE

The Department for Employment and Learning today announced the appointment of Mr Steven Costello as Chairperson of the Board of Governors of Stranmillis University College until 31 December 2007.

Commenting on the appointment, the Minister, Barry Gardiner, MP, said: "I am pleased that Mr Costello has agreed to take up the Chairperson role in the Board of Governors. I believe his experience in the private sector, his involvement in education and expertise in chairing other Boards will bring much value to Stranmillis."

The Department also announced the appointments of Mrs Joy Kettyle, Mrs Hilary Avery, Mr Colm Donaghy, Mr Hugh Storey and Mr Derek Campbell and the reappointment of Professor Richard McMinn, as Governors to the Board, until 6 February 2008.

In addition, the Department extended the terms of Mr Edward Ferguson, Mr Jack Creighton, Mr John Magowan, Mrs Helen Livingstone, Dr Aine Downey, Dr Ruth Leitch and Mrs McClelland, until 28 February 2006, as Governors to the Board.

Mr Steven Costello will be filling the vacant Chairperson’s post. Mrs Joy Kettyle replaces Sister Anne O’Shea, who will be retiring from the post of Governor after ten years service on the Board of Governors.

Paying tribute to the outgoing Governor, the Minister said: "Sister Anne has made a tremendous contribution to the Board of Governors of Stranmillis University College. In particular, her recent commitment as acting Chairperson was very much appreciated. I would like to thank her for her service and dedication and convey my very best wishes for the future."

 

NOTES TO EDITORS:

  1. The appointments have been made in accordance with the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland’s Code of Practice.
  2. The current constitution of the Board comprises 16 members. These include two ex-officio positions, (Principal and Student Union President), Chairperson, (appointed by the Department for Employment and Learning). Four Nominated Governors are appointed in consultation with the Education Sector and three Nominated Governors appointed in consultation with the Church Community. There are two Nominated Governors of the Academic Staff of the College, one Nominated Governor of the Support Staff of the College and three Representative Governors appointed by the Department for Employment and Learning. The Department for Employment and Learning and the Department of Education also nominate assessors to the Board.
  3. Stranmillis University College was established under cover of Section 1 (3) of the Ministries Act of Northern Ireland Act 1921. Operating within the scope of the Minutes laid before Parliament under Section 1 (3), while Stranmillis was subject to the direction and control of the Minister, it has, in practice, been run as an independent body under the management of a Board of Governors.
  4. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for the political activity of appointees, (if any declared), to be published.
  5. The posts attract no remuneration, but members will receive reasonable travel and subsistence payments for attending meetings.
  6. Mr Steven Costello is currently the chair of the General Consumer Council and former Chief Executive of Marks and Spencer plc in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. He has been appointed through the public appointments process, run by the Department for Employment and Learning. He is also the Chair of the Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service and a member of the National Consumer Council. He has declared no political activity.
  7. Mrs Joy Kettyle is a principal lecturer in North Down and Ards Institute of Further and Higher Education. She has been appointed through the public appointments process, run by the Department for Employment and Learning. She is also a member of the Learning Advisory Council to the PSNI, an Associate Assessor for the E.T.I. and a reviser for C.E.A. She has declared no political activity.
  8. Mrs Hilary Avery is a lecturer in Geography and is currently seconded to the Ulster Scots Curriculum Development Unit. She has been nominated as a representative of the academic staff of Stranmillis University College.
  9. Mr Colm Donaghy is a lecturer in English, having joined the College in 2000. He has been nominated as a representative of the academic staff of Stranmillis University College.
  10. Mr Hugh Storey is the Administrative Officer attached to the Students Union, having taken up that appointment in 1992. He has been nominated as the representative of the support staff of Stranmillis University College.
  11. Mr Derek Campbell has 28 years of experience as a teacher and is currently Principal of Carrickfergus College. He has been nominated as the representative of the Methodist Church in Ireland.
  12. Media enquiries to the Department for Employment and Learning Press Office on 028 9025 7790.

 

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