Appointments to the Board of the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland

Date published: 11 September 2024

Communities Minister, Gordon Lyons MLA, has appointed Ms Leanne McCullough as a Commissioner to the Board of the Charity Commission (‘the Commission’) for Northern Ireland with effect from 15 August 2024 to 14 August 2029.

Reappointments to the Board of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland

Minister Lyons has also reappointed Mr Hugh McKeag as a Commissioner to the Commission’s Board with effect from 1 September 2024 to 31 August 2029. Mr McKeag has served on the Board from 1 September 2019.

The Commission is a non-departmental statutory public body sponsored by the Department for Communities (DfC). It was established to deliver the regulatory requirements of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008. Its vision is to have a dynamic and well governed charities sector in which the public has confidence. This is underpinned by effective delivery of its regulatory role.

Notes to editors: 

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  1. A Commissioner receives remuneration of £2,626 per annum for a commitment of one to two days per month. Travel and subsistence allowances are also payable. In addition, since the 2019 McBride High Court Judgment all Charity Commissioners are expected to serve on several decision-making Committees throughout the year and are paid a daily rate for this additional work of £554.
  2. These appointments have been made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland’s (CPA NI) Code of Practice. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, CPA NI requires the political activity of appointees to be published. Any relevant details are provided in the below biographies.
  3. Biographies:
    • Leanne McCullough: Following her qualification as a Chartered Accountant, Leanne gained a range of commercial experience in the textile and food production industries, including as Financial Controller in a local beef processing plant during the BSE outbreak. Following a move into the public sector, she held a variety of roles within various government Departments and Agencies, most recently as Head of Corporate Governance within OFMDFM/Executive Office until her retirement. She brings an in-depth knowledge and skills relating to finance, governance and internal control matters to the Board. Leanne has declared no political activity in the last five years and holds no other public appointments.
    • Hugh McKeag: Hugh is a former General Manager and Director of Caterpillar and Managing Director of Wright Group. 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. Hugh holds no other public appointments and has not undertaken any political activity in the past five years
  4. Media enquiries via email to DFC Press Office.
  5. Follow us on Twitter @CommunitiesNI
  6. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.

 

 

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