New Governor for Belfast Metropolitan College

The Department for Employment and Learning today announced that Professor Kenneth O’Neill has been appointed to the governing body of Belfast Metropolitan College.

The governing body 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. The position is not remunerated.

Professor O’Neill is the Professor of Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development at the University of Ulster, where he has worked since 1974. He is also a member of the West Belfast and Greater Shankill Council and Chairman of Young Enterprise (N.I) Ltd. Professor O’Neill lives in Belfast. He has not carried out any political activity in the last five years.

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 at the time, Maria Eagle MP.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. A previous Minister with responsibility for Employment and Learning, Angela Smith MP, announced in September 2005 that the existing 16 further education colleges will merge to form six new area-based colleges from the start of the 2007/08 academic year. The creation of new governing bodies is part of this merger process.
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.
3. Belfast Metropolitan College was established following the merger of Belfast Institute and Castlereagh College on 1 August 2007.
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.