Appointments to the Board of Sport NI

After an open competition, the following appointments have been made to the Board of Sport NI.

Mr George Lucas has been appointed as Chair and Mr Jay Colville has been appointed as Vice-Chair. Three new Board members have also been appointed: Ms Jackie Bryson; Mr Darryl Petticrew; and, Mrs Siobhan Weir.

All of the appointments took effect from 1 February 2017 for a term of up to four years.

Notes to editors: 

1. The constitution of the Sports Council for NI (Sport NI) is set out in Schedule 1 of the Recreation and Youth Service (NI) Order 1986. Sport NI works with the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) to deliver on Sport Matters: The NI Strategy for Sport and Physical Recreation, 2009-2019. This Strategy sets out a new shared sporting vision of "a culture of lifelong enjoyment and success in sport", as well as the key strategic priorities for sport and physical recreation, and informs the direction of future investment – underpinning three areas: participation, performance and places.
2.  The time commitment for the Chair post is at least eight days per month initially, which may be subject to review. It attracts remuneration of £280 per day. Travel and subsistence allowances are also payable. The time commitment for the Vice-Chair post is approximately 30days per year. It attracts remuneration of £3,500 per year. Travel and subsistence allowances are also payable. The time commitment for Board Members is at least 24 days per years. These appointments are unpaid but travel and subsistence allowances will be payable
3. The appointments have been made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments for NI Code of Practice.
4.  All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, the Commissioner for Public Appointments for NI requires the political activity of appointees to be published.
5.  Biographical details of appointees:

   Mr George Lucas
   Mr Lucas has operated at board level for over 30 years. He was previously Managing Director of Corus Steel Ireland and Chair of Steel Company of Ireland. He is the current Chair of the Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland, for which he receives remuneration of £19,245 per annum, and the Chair of the Ulster Branch of Tennis Ireland. Mr Lucas brings a range of financial and change management experience to Sport NI. He has not undertaken any political activity in the past 5 years.

   Mr Jay Colville
   Mr Colville is the previous Area Director of Nationwide Building Society in Northern Ireland, where he had responsibility for 14 branches and 200 staff. He was the Chairman of the Council of Mortgage Lenders in Northern Ireland, as well as a former Chair and Vice-Chair of the Royal Yachting Association NI. Mr Colville brings leadership, management and team working skills to the Sport NI Board. He holds no other public appointments and has not undertaken any political activity in the past five years.

   Ms Jackie Bryson
   Ms Bryson is the CEO of the Mountain Training Trust and Plas y Brenin, Sport England’s national mountain centre in Snowdonia. She is also a Trustee of Sports Coach UK. Ms Bryson was previously s Strategic Lead at Sport England, with involvement in strategy development and social inclusion pilots. She brings a range of governance and board level experience in the body, with membership of a range of boards over a 15 year period. She holds no other public appointments and has not undertaken any political activity in the past five years.

   Mr Darryl Petticrew
   Mr Petticrew is a Project Manager for the Strategic Investment Board NI, where he is currently providing project management support to the NI Executive’s Social Investment Fund, advising organisations on the establishment of appropriate governance structures, public procurement and successful project delivery. He has over 10 years experience working in sport, with previous roles in the community and voluntary sector as well as private sector. He has delivered major projects for Ulster Rugby and is a prominent Committee Member of his local basketball club. Mr. Petticrew brings experience in equality & social inclusion, strategic planning and knowledge of the sector to Sport NI. He holds no other public appointments and has not undertaken any political activity in the past five years.

   Mrs Siobhan Weir
   Mrs Weir was the previous Northern Ireland manager for a Sector Skills Council (SkillsActive) where she was responsible for supporting the development of the active leisure workforce including overseeing the delivery of government project funding. She was an employee of the former Health Promotion Agency where she managed a number of schemes to help socially excluded individuals experience the benefits of regular physical activity. Mrs Weir also brings financial management and governance skills and experience to Sport NI. She holds no other public appointments and has not undertaken any political activity in the past five years.

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7. For media enquiries please contact the DfC Press Office on 028 9082 3509 or email: press.office@communities-ni.gov.uk. For out of hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number on 07623 974 383 and your call will be returned.

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