Appointment of a new Chair to the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust

Health Minister Michael McGimpsey has appointed Colm McKenna as Chair of the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust.

The appointment, for a term of four years, is effective from 16 October 2008.

Notes to Editors:

1. Health and Social Care (HSC) Trusts are responsible for the delivery of responsive and effective health and social care to their resident populations. Each HSC Trust is run by a board of directors which comprises a non-executive Chair, seven non-executive directors and five executive directors who are employees of the Trust.
2. The Chair of the South Eastern HSC Trust receives annual remuneration of £28,560.
3. Appointments to HSC Trusts are made with the approval of the Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety. There are no specific qualifications for appointment. Each person is appointed to act in a personal capacity and not to represent any particular interest or group.
4. The appointment was made in accordance with the Code of Practice issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland. 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.
5. 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. Mr McKenna declared that he had not engaged in any political activity in the last five years.
6. Mr Colmcille Cathal (Colm) McKenna lives in Glenavy. Mr McKenna enjoyed a long and successful career in Financial Services, being employed by the Bank of Ireland since 1979 until his early retirement on 1October 2008. His final position was Head of Marketing Services, UK, but he previously held the positions of Head of Group Marketing, NI, and Head of Treasury and International Banking. Mr McKenna was previously a member and Deputy Chair of Investment Belfast (Belfast City Council) and member and Chair of the NI Euro Preparations Forum (DETI). He is a Business Administration Graduate from Manchester Business School. Mr McKenna holds no other public appointments and has not engaged in any political activity in the last five years.
7. Media enquiries to DHSSPS Press Office on 028 9052 0579. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.