Minister Givan announces Charity Commission for Northern Ireland extension to Commissioner appointments

Minister for Communities Paul Givan MLA has announced the extension of the appointments of Geraldine Donaghy and Brenda Maitland to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland (CCNI) Board.

The appointments of Ms Donaghy and Ms Maitland, who have each served three-year terms as Commissioners of the CCNI Board, have been extended to 31 December 2016.

The CCNI was established as the regulator of charities operating in Northern Ireland following the enactment of the Charities (Northern Ireland) Act 2008.

Minister Givan paying tribute to Ms Donaghy and Ms Maitland, said: “I understand that both Commissioners have made a very valuable contribution to the work of the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland. Their expertise and accumulated knowledge will be invaluable to the Commission going forward. I would like to thank Ms Donaghy and Ms Maitland for their service and dedication to date and wish them both well for their future period as Commissioners.”

These extensions to the Commissioners’ appointments have been made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland’s Code of Practice.

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 (Northern Ireland) Act 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. Appointments to the CCNI Board are made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland’s Code of Practice. The Code allows for any public appointee to be re-appointed provided there is evidence of satisfactory performance in their first term and that the total period of their appointment should not normally exceed two full terms of office. The final decision on the re-appointment of Commissioners rests with the Minister
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. Ms Donaghy and Ms Maitland have declared no political interest
5. Ms Donaghy was formerly Chief Executive of the Confederation of Community Groups, Newry & Mourne. She is currently a self employed voluntary sector consultant and has just completed an 8 year term as a Trustee of the Community Foundation for N.I. . She is a Non Executive Director of Warrenpoint Harbour Authority, for which she receives remuneration £7,117 per year. Ms Donaghy has wide experience of the N.I. Charity and Voluntary sector and has particular skills in the area of governance and compliance which she brings to the body.
6. Ms Maitland was formerly a Senior Human Resources Business Partner in BTNI. She is currently a member for the Saintfield Development Association, an external assessor for the Western Education Library Board and the Council for Catholic Maintained School, and serves on the Board of Governors of Millenium Integrated Primary School. Ms Maitland is a Member of the NI Social Care Council for which she receives £6,367 per annum and a Member of the Police Rehabilitation and Re-training Trust for which she receives £5,000 per annum. Ms Maitland brings governance, strategy and HR skills and experience to the Charity Commission
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8. Media enquiries to DfC Press Office on 028 9082 9267 or email press.office@communities-ni.gov.uk.  Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.

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