Chair of the Southern Regional College announced

26 February 2008

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

Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey, has appointed Alderman Arnold Hatch to the position.

Alderman Hatch, who lives in Portadown and is now semi-retired, has many years of experience in local business and industry.  He was a member of the governing body of Upper Bann Institute until it was merged with Armagh College and Newry & Kilkeel Institute to form Southern Regional College.   

The governing body of Southern 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 26 February 2008 to 25 February 2012.  

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.  Southern Regional College was formed from the merger of Armagh College of Further and Higher Education, Newry & Kilkeel Institute of Further and Higher Education and Upper Bann Institute of Further and Higher Education.
  2. 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.  Alderman Hatch has indicated that he has engaged in political activity in the past five years.
  3. The position of chair is not remunerated.
  4. Alderman Hatch is currently a member of Craigavon Borough Council.  He is also a member of the Rent Assessment Panel, for which he receives £198 per day (assessments taking place every two or three months), and was reappointed to the NI Fire and Rescue Service Board in June 2007.  Alderman Hatch was also a member of the Southern Education and Library Board between 1993 and 2005.
  5. Media queries to the Department for Employment and Learning Press Office on 028 9025 7872.
  6. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.