Extension of appointments to the Board of National Museums NI

The Department for Communities has extended the first term of appointment of the following Trustees of the Board of National Museums NI from 1 May 2019 until 31 October 2019. They have served on the Board since 1 May 2013.

• Professor Karen Fleming
• Mrs Daphne Harshaw
• Dr Rosemary Kelly
• Mr Alan McFarland

Notes to editors: 

1. The National Museums and Galleries of NI, was established under the Museums and Galleries (NI) Order on 1 April, 1998. Its corporate title is National Museums Northern Ireland (NMNI).

2. NMNI includes the Ulster Museum, the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, and the Ulster American Folk Park. It is managed by a Board of up to 15 Trustees including a Chair. The Chair attracts a remuneration of £10,000 per annum plus expenses. Trustees attract no remuneration and receive expenses only.

3. The extension to the terms of appointment have been made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments Northern Ireland’s 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 Northern Ireland requires political activity of appointees to be published.

5. Biographical details of appointees:

Professor Karen Fleming

Professor Karen Fleming is Head of Belfast School of Art at Ulster University and a senior member of the leadership team of the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.  She chaired the University Research Ethics Committee for many years up to 2017. She is a member of the UK Research Excellence Framework panel for Art and Design, History Theory and Practice for the REF 2021. A textile artist of international esteem, Professor Fleming is a member of a number of boards including trustee of the Council for Higher Education in Art and Design. Professor Fleming is a member of the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Peer Review College and provides peer review for the Pasold Institute, the Editorial board of Iterations Journal and for international conferences. Professor Fleming brings creativity, management and corporate governance skills to the NMNI board. She holds no other public appointments and has declared no political activity in the last five years.

Mrs Daphne Harshaw

Mrs Harshaw is a Master’s graduate of Trinity College, Dublin, in the History of Art and taught History of Art and Art Appreciation in Dublin. She is a Communications and Marketing professional and was a Principal Officer, Personnel and Management Services, in the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, initiating programmes to promote equality and counter educational disadvantage. Mrs Harshaw is a Board Member of Cambridge House Grammar School and a former Vice Chair of Triangle Housing Association. Her experience also spans the arts and heritage sector where she worked as a curator for the National Trust and had curatorial, house and staff management experience at Mount Stewart. Mrs Harshaw brings organisational and communication skills, as well as a passion and interest in museums, to the NMNI Board. She holds no other public appointments and has not undertaken any political activity in the last five years.

Dr Rosemary Kelly OBE

Dr Kelly is currently a Board member of the Royal Ulster Academy of Artists and she is also a member of the Kilfinnan Group. Her wide-ranging public service roles have included serving as Chairman of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, President of the Association of Ulster Drama Festivals, Chairman of the Ormeau Baths Gallery and Vice Chairman of the Ulster Orchestra. She was also Chairman of the British Council in NI (and a member of its International Board in London). Her experience also includes ten years on the governing Council of Ulster University, and as a Board member of the National Trust NI. In addition, she was Chairman of the Help the Aged (now Age NI) and a member of its international Board in London. Dr Kelly’s experience also spans the commercial sector where she was a Governor of the Irish Times in Dublin for ten years. She was a former programme producer and was subsequently, Head of Public Affairs and Secretary Northern Ireland in the corporation. She, later, also served as a member of the Ofcom Content board in London (the broadcasting regulator) and was a founding member of the Irish Film and Television Academy. She was awarded an OBE in January 2009 and an honorary DLitt by the University of Ulster in 2012, both for services to the Arts. She holds no other public appointments and has not undertaken any political activity in the last five years.

Mr Alan McFarland

Mr McFarland served as an officer in the British Army until 1992. He served as Press Officer for the UK Mobile Force and as a Management Consultant with the Ministry of Defence. He was also Curator of the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment Museum, was Director of the Somme Museum and is currently Chairman of the Somme Association. His wide ranging public service has included Trustee of the Scotch-Irish Trust of Ulster and membership of the NI Forum for Political Dialogue. He also served as a Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly, holding a variety of positions and serving on various committees. He was a member of the first Northern Ireland Policing Board. Mr McFarland brings leadership, press and media skills, as well as a particular expertise in military history, to the NMNI Board. He holds no other public appointments and has not undertaken any political activity in the last five years.

6. Media enquiries to DFC Press Office on 028 9082 3532 or email: Press Office. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer on 028 9037 8110

7. Follow the Department on @CommunitiesNI

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