Extension of Appointment to the Board of the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland

Notes to editors:  

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 Act (Northern Ireland) 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 Chief Commissioner receives remuneration of £5,750 per annum, the Deputy Chief Commissioner £3,450 and Commissioners £2,300 per annum in respect of their appointments.

3. The extension to the term of appointment has 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 Details

Mr Hugh McKeag

Mr McKeag is a former General Manager and Director of Caterpillar, and Managing Director of Wright Endrive Ltd, within the Wright Group 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. Mr McKeag has declared no political activity in the last five 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. Miss Mullan has declared no political activity in the last five years and holds no other public appointments.

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