Appointment of Two Commissioners to the Board of the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland

1. The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland (CCNI) was established as the regulator of charities operating in Northern Ireland following the enactment of the Charities (Northern Ireland) Act 2008. The main functions of CCNI are to keep a public register of charities; encourage, facilitate and monitor compliance with charity law; determine charity status; identify and investigate misconduct in charity administration and take remedial or protective action as necessary. 

2. The board of the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland comprises a Chief Commissioner, a Deputy Chief Commissioner and five Commissioners. The Commissioner receives remuneration of £2,300 per annum.

3. These appointments have been made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland’s (CPA 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 Northern Ireland requires the political activity of appointees to be published.

5. Biographical Detail

Mr Hugh McKeag

Mr McKeag is a former General Manager and Director of Caterpillar, and Managing Director of Wright Endrive Ltd, within the WrightGroup of Companies. He has experience in developing and implementing organisational strategies, including the setting of clear strategic objectives and goals. He has served on a number of boards, and has various experience in the preparation of budgets, capital expenditure and management reviews. He has been closely involved with PHAB – Inclusion Matters and Arthritis Care NI. He has not undertaken any political activity in the last 5 years and holds no other public appointments. 

Miss Carmel Mullan

Miss Mullan is a qualified accountant and Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland. She is currently Company Secretary to the Board of Diaceutics PLC.  She was previously the Group Financial Controller of Wireless Group PLC (previously UTV PLC) and a member of its executive team, which included responsibility for acquisitions and achieving synergies. She has experience of risk and financial management, accounting standards and working on charity accounts, skills which she brings to the CCNI Board. She has not undertaken any political activity in the last 5 years and holds no other public appointments. 

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