Minister announces appointments to the Board of the Labour Relations Agency

Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey, has announced the appointments of one Independent and one Employer Member to the Board of the Labour Relations Agency.

The Labour Relations Agency is a Non-Departmental Public Body with responsibility for promoting the improvement of employment relations in Northern Ireland. The Agency is independent of Government and is funded mainly in the form of a grant from the Department for Employment and Learning.

The following appointments take effect from 1 January 2010 and run until 31 December 2012.

Independent - Mrs Sally McKee

Mrs McKee is Chairperson of the General Teaching Council NI (GTCNI). She is currently a member of the Disability Committee of NI Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and on the Board of Governors of Glenlola Collegiate School and Lakewood Special School, both in Bangor. Prior to this, Mrs McKee was a Primary School teacher and from 1990-2007 was a classroom teacher and Outreach/Advisory Teacher at Killard House Special School, Newtownards. She is a past President of the Ulster Teachers Union and was a Council Member and Chair of the Policy and Education Committee of the GTCNI from 2002-2006 Mrs McKee was a Board Member of South Eastern Education and Library Board from 2004-06.

Mrs McKee holds no other public appointments.

Employer - Mr Gordon Parkes

Mr Parkes is General Manager, Group Human Resources of Viridian Group Ltd and is currently a member of the Employment Affairs Committee of the Confederation of British Industry (NI). Mr Parkes started his working life in Bombardier Shorts and has worked for a number of companies as Head or Director of Human Resources. From 1998-2001 Mr Parkes was the Chairman of the Northern Ireland Textiles and Clothing Training Council and was Human Resources Director of Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) and NIE Powerteam from 2000-2003. Mr Parkes holds no other public appointments.

Notes to editors:

1. The appointment has been made in accordance with the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments NI Code of Practice.

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 to be published. No political activity was declared by the two appointees.

3. Appointments to the Labour Relations Agency are made on a part-time basis. Members of the Labour Relations Agency are remunerated by an annual fee of £5,050.

4. Other members of the Board are: Mr J. McCusker (Chair), Dr T Morrow, Ms B Maitland, Mrs P O’Farrell, Mr N Willis, Mr P Williamson and Mr L Fawcett.

5. All media enquiries should be directed to the Department for Employment and Learning Communications Branch on 028 9025 7872. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.