Appointments to the Board of the Northern Ireland Museums Council
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Communities Minister, Gordon Lyons MLA has appointed Jessica Hoyle as Chair to the Board of the Northern Ireland Museums Council (NIMC) from 1 February 2026 to 31 January 2030.
He has also appointed four new Board Members from 1 February 2026 to 31 January 2030: Ruth Balmer, Liesa Johnston, Celine McStravick and Laura Patrick.
As the lead development body for local museums in Northern Ireland, the NI Museums Council works to strengthen a vibrant and resilient museum sector. It supports UK Museum Accreditation standards, delivers grant programmes, provides tailored training and professional development, and offers expert advice and advocacy. Through strategic partnerships and community-focused initiatives, the NI Museums Council helps museums deepen their engagement with audiences and ensure they continue to thrive as welcoming spaces for learning, creativity, and cultural participation.
Notes to editors:
- The NIMC Chair requires a time commitment of least 12-14 days per year, with the Board Member positions requiring a time commitment of at least 4-8 days per annum. The Chair and Member positions are unpaid. However, travel and subsistence allowances are payable in line with NI Civil Service rates.
- 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.
- Jessica Hoyle (Chair): Jessica currently works for Tourism NI as an Experience Brand Development Manager, which includes responsibility for the development and growth of a portfolio of tourism experience businesses and the ‘Embrace a Giant Spirit’ brand, working to drive engagement and enhance Northern Ireland as a must-see destination. Prior to this she spent 10 years working in the museums sector in a range of museums and galleries across the UK. She has been an NIMC Board Member since September 2023 and, from September 2025, has been its Interim Chair. She is an active member of the NIMC Board’s Audit & Risk Committee (ARAC) and the Grants Committee where she helped secure increased capital funding, allowing the organisation to deliver wider grant funding to the museums and heritage sector. She does not hold any other public appointments and has not undertaken any political activity in the last five years.
- Ruth Balmer (Board Member): Ruth’s background and interest in food and nutrition encouraged her to follow a career in dietetics. She has worked as a dietitian within a variety of health service and civil service settings relating to public health nutrition. Her last role was British Dietetic Association (BDA) Policy Officer for Northern Ireland. In this position she promoted the dietetic profession and the work of BDA members in NI. Ruth currently is involved with a range voluntary and charity work in her local community. As a Churchill Fellow she is a passionate advocate for the Fellowship, promoting and supporting its work to inspire change in the UK, She brings a range of skills relating to governance and collaborative working to the Board. She does not hold any other public appointments and has not undertaken any political activity in the last five years.
- Liesa Johnston (Board Member): Liesa is a Senior Strategy and Innovation Advisor within a leading creative consultancy and a lecturer in Business Management at Belfast Metropolitan College on "Strategic Leadership and Management". She has worked alongside Invest NI and Tourism NI on innovation and growth programmes, developing and supporting new visitor experiences. She holds a Diploma in Company Direction from the Institute of Directors. With a background in sales, marketing and strategic roles across PLCs and family‑owned businesses, Liesa brings strong strategic, commercial and governance insight to the Board. She does not hold any other public appointments and has not undertaken any political activity in the last five years.
- Celine McStravick (Board Member): Celine has experience of working across the voluntary, community and public sectors. She is currently the Chief Executive of the NI Council for Voluntary Action, the leading umbrella body for the voluntary and community sector. Most recently, she was the Strategic Director for External Affairs at National Children’s Bureau (NCB) working to improve outcomes for children, young people, families, and communities, especially the most vulnerable. She has previously been a board member of Sport NI and the Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education. She does not hold any other public appointments and has not undertaken any political activity in the last five years.
- Laura Patrick (Board Member): Laura is currently the Regimental Heritage Officer for The Royal Irish Regiment and Project Director for UNTOLD Stories of the Irish in the British Army. In these roles she has been involved in the implementation of good governance and transparent governance models, including the establishment of two new independent charitable companies. She has worked with a range of project stakeholders, internal and external, whilst gaining their trust to progress the project in line with agreed timescales and objectives. She does not hold any other public appointments and has not undertaken any political activity in the last five years.
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