Temporary chair appointed to Northern Region College

The Department for Employment and Learning today announced that Professor William Clarke has been appointed as the temporary Chair of the Governing Body of Northern Regional 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 position of the chair is not remunerated.

Professor Clarke has many years of experience at a senior level in university management and administration. He is currently Provost of the University of Ulster, Jordanstown and Belfast. Since 1980, Professor Clarke has been a member of the university senate and chair or member of a wide range of university committees. He lives in Belfast. Professor Clarke has not engaged in any political activity over the past five years.

The appointment is being made on a temporary basis until a permanent appointment is made, for which advertisements appear in the week commencing 8 October. The appointment follows a selection process monitored by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland under its good practice kite mark scheme. This process involved a selection panel, including an independent assessor, as required under the Commissioner’s code. The final decision on the appointment, however, rested with Sir Reg Empey, Minister for Employment and Learning.

Notes to Editors:

1. This appointment was made on merit and political activity played 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.
2. Northern Regional College was created on 1 August 2007 from the merger of Causeway Institute, East Antrim Institute and North East Institute.
3. Media queries to the Department for Employment and Learning Press Office on 028 9025 7872.
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