Chair of the Northern Regional College announced

8 January 2008

The Department for Employment and Learning today announced the name of the chair of the Northern Regional College governing body.  

Sir Reg Empey, the Minister for Employment and Learning has appointed Professor William Clarke to the position.

Sir Reg commented: “I am pleased to make this appointment to one of the key positions in the Northern Ireland education sector.  The Department’s strategy for the sector, FE Means Business, requires high-calibre appointments throughout the system.  I am convinced that, in Professor Clarke, we have the right person with the right credentials for this important job.”

Professor Clarke is currently Provost of the University of Ulster, Jordanstown and Belfast.  He is also a member of the council of the NI Chamber of Commerce and Industry.  Professor Clarke lives in Belfast.  He has not carried out any political activity in the last five years.

The governing body of Northern Regional College is responsible for securing the efficient and effective management of the college, agreeing and monitoring its strategic direction, appointing the college’s senior staff and ensuring that the college acts as a responsible employer.  The appointment will be for a period of four years from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2011.  The position is not remunerated.

The appointment was made after a rigorous selection process, which was monitored by the office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland under its good practice kite mark scheme.  A selection panel, which included an independent assessor as required under the Commissioner’s code, considered the suitability of all candidates.  The final decision on the appointment rested with the Minister.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

  1. The six new further education colleges were created on 1 August 2007 following a series of mergers.  The Northern Regional College covers an area stretching from Newtownabbey to the north coast, the largest of all six colleges.
  2. The governing body is responsible for securing the efficient and effective management of the college, having regard to the needs of industry, commerce and the community in which it is situated.  
  3. 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.
  4. Media queries to the Department for Employment and Learning Press Office on 028 9025 7872.
  5. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.