Appointments to the Northern Ireland Local Government Officers’ Superannuation Committee (NILGOSC)

Date published: 09 October 2024

Communities Minister, Gordon Lyons MLA, has appointed Mr Mark McBride as the Chair of NILGOSC from 1 October 2024 to 30 September 2028. Mr McBride previously served as an Independent Member on the Committee from 1 May 2019 to 30 April 2023.

latest appointment

He has also appointed Mr Dooley Harte and Mrs Cathy Matthews as NILGOSC Independent Members with effect from 1 October 2024 to 30 September 2028.

Ms Heather McKinstry has been reappointed as an Employee Representative Member. Her first four-year term finishes on 30 April 2025, with her second term from 1 May 2025 to 30 April 2029.

NILGOSC’s key role is to ensure the effective and efficient governance and administration of a pension scheme for local councils and other similar bodies in Northern Ireland. As the Chair or Member, you will have the opportunity to influence the future and direction of the administration of the Local Government Pension Scheme, as well as involvement in the delivery of a highly effective investment strategy. The Scheme has over 160,000 Members, with the NILGOSC fund sitting at approximately £10bn, which reflects its importance and significance. It is therefore critical that the Chair and those Members appointed bring an independent view, oversight and challenge to the Scheme and Fund.

 

Notes to editors: 

  1. The Chair position attracts remuneration of £15,236 per year, plus travel and subsistence allowances. It will require a commitment of at least 25 days per annum.
  2. The Member positions do not attract a salary but are eligible for a daily allowance of £250, plus travel and subsistence. This post will require a commitment of at least 2 days per month. This will include a requirement to undertake approximately 40 hours Continuing Professional Development (CPD) training.
  3. 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.
  4. Chair biography: Mr Mark McBride is a qualified CIPFA accountant, CIPD qualified and Chair of the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) Pension Scheme. He is a former Head of Finance and Performance at Belfast City Council (BCC). He previously served as an Independent Member on NILGOSC from May 2019 to April 2023, in which period he chaired its Audit & Risk Assurance Committee. He brings a range of governance, financial and public accountability skills and experience to the role. Mark holds no other public appointments and has had no political activity within the last 5 years.
  5. Member biographies: Mr Dooley Harte is the Pension Official for the University & College Union with responsibility for the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS). In this role he has responsibility for leading pension negotiations with USS and representatives for UK universities, dealing with a wide range of stakeholders. He is also a Trustee of the Board of Cancer Focus Northern Ireland where he engages in a range of governance, strategic direction and financial matters. Dooley holds no other public appointments and has had no political activity within the last 5 years.
    Mrs Cathy Matthews has a wide range of governance and public accountability experience at UK wide level, including as a member of a national governance body. As a Director at Belfast City Council, she had responsibility for engaging with political parties on matters within her remit to reach consensus on key decisions. She brings skills relating to transformation programmes, strategic thinking and stakeholder engagement to the Committee. Cathy holds no other public appointments and has had no political activity within the last 5 years.
    Ms Heather McKinstry is the Trade Union Side Officer for the Education Authority (EA) with responsibility for co-ordination of the work in a complex multi-union environment. She is a member of Unison’s Local Government Service Group, also the Women’s Group. Also, a member of the Education Trade Union Group of NIC ICTU. She is the Chairperson of the EA Unison Southern Education Branch. She has gained experience, knowledge, and skills in responding to consultations and developing policies, which covered both finance and governance, analysing complex financial reports and business plans. In a previous role in the EA her duties included joining new employees into the pension scheme and completing forms and calculation for those leaving employment in the scheme. Heather holds no other public appointments and has had no political activity within the last 5 years.
  6. Media enquiries via email to DFC Press Office.
  7. Follow us on Twitter @CommunitiesNI
  8. 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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