Belfast Metropolitan College
Ms Rose Byrne
Rose Byrne has extensive senior management and comprehensive business experience gained in major national companies within the financial services sector. She has undertaken consultancy roles, specialising in human resources outplacement and recruitment support.
Rose's academic and professional qualifications include MSc. in Business Development; PGCE Further and Higher Education and a Postgraduate Certificate in Management Studies. She is also a qualified Financial Adviser.
She currently lectures at Queen's University Belfast, teaching Business and Finance modules at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
Since 2017, Rose has been an Independent Assessor for the Commissioner for Public Appointments Northern Ireland and is remunerated on an hourly basis (£31.25 plus mileage and car parking expenses).
She has a wealth of recruitment and selection experience, having sat on panels making appointments up to director level in both private and public sectors.
She previously served eight years (2013 - 2021) as a Council member of Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA). She held Chair of Finance role for four of those years.
Rose brings to the governing body of Belfast Metropolitan College expertise in governance, education, financial oversight and human resources.
Rose does not hold any other public appointments.
Dr Tom Hesketh
Dr Tom Hesketh has extensive experience in education as a teacher, adviser and researcher. As director of The Regional Training Unit he provided strategic direction of the education service’s leadership development programmes including the Professional Qualification for Headship.
He has significant experience in working with third level education stakeholders across the island of Ireland: as co- chair of the Standing Conference on Teacher Education North and South (SCoTENS); in his co-design of the first MBA in International Educational Leadership; and as a contributor to the Ed.D programme at QUB.
He led the Northern Ireland education system’s participation in the OECD project on Improving School Leadership- involving 23 jurisdictions. He has chaired on behalf of the Department of Education working groups on diverse topics including: School Development Planning; School Leadership 2025; and The Specialist School Selection Panel.
He was a member of the Ministerial Working Group on Economic Awareness as a cross curricular theme. He has delivered papers to the NI Assembly’s Education Committee and the North-South Ministerial Council.
He is currently a Chair of Examiners with CCEA.
He has a B.A. in History and Politics; Master Degrees in Political Science and in Human Resource Management; the PGCE in Education and a PhD.
Dr Hesketh does not hold any other public appointments.
Mr Michael McKernan
Michael is an economist by training and has 25 years’ experience working in Government, North and South, in the Irish energy sector and in strategic communications. He has a BSSc (Economics) and MSSc from Queen’s University, Belfast and a range of other qualifications including a postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Statistical Methods from Trinity College, Dublin.
He was a founder of BMF Business Services, an independent Northern Ireland communications consultancy/ publishing house. BMF offers event management and communications consultancy services and publishes a number of regular titles including the ‘AgendaNI’ public policy magazine.
In his earlier career Michael was a professionally qualified Housing Manager in the NI Housing Executive. He subsequently joined the Department of Finance in Dublin where, after a spell in Public Expenditure Division, he became an Irish Government trade negotiator in Brussels and Geneva and a Director of the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI).
He later returned to Northern Ireland to become Interconnector Business Manager for Northern Ireland Electricity during which time the existing North/South electricity Interconnector was restored (after a long outage) and the NI interconnector with Scotland was built. He subsequently spearheaded NIE’s entry into the Southern Irish electricity market.
Since then he has advised many energy organisations and has written extensively on energy and other areas of public policy.
He is currently a Director of the Integrated Education Fund (IEF) and a non-Executive Director of infrastructure company Mutual Energy Ltd.
Outside of work Michael pursues a strong interest in early Irish heritage. He has 3 children and lives in Lurgan, Co Armagh.
Michael does not hold any other public appointments.
Miss Sheena McKinney
Sheena McKinney has been a senior nurse manager and leader within the Health Service for over 30 years. She has specialist experience and expertise within the primary health care sector.
Her professional career has spanned from operational through to strategic leadership in a clinical governance role. She holds a number of postgraduate qualifications in Leadership and Management, Human Resources, Corporate Governance, Teaching , Assessing and Supervision of postgraduate students in Practicum. She has also achieved the Institute of Directors Certificate in Company Direction, which includes accreditation in Finance for Non-Finance Directors, Strategy, Leadership, and the Role of the Director and Board.
Sheena is deeply committed to the critical role that Further Education plays and brings a sound knowledge and understanding of the sector to the governing body as well as her understanding of the boardroom setting, roles, and responsibilities and accountability.
Sheena is an Equality Commissioner for Northern Ireland and in that role, she is a member of the Statutory Duty Investigations Committee as well as the Commission itself. She hopes to bring her additional experience and interest in areas such as diversity, equality, and inclusion into the work of the Governing Body.
Sheena is currently an Equality Commissioner for Northern Ireland since June 2022, with a remuneration of £5,000 per annum.
Mrs Sinead Sharpe
Sinead is currently Group Human Resources Director for Staffline Recruitment Ireland and has held strategic HR and leadership positions across a significant number of industries throughout her career. She has more than twenty years experience serving in both Public and Private Sectors including Healthcare; Financial Services; Construction; Manufacturing and Food Manufacturing; Security; Facilities Management and Professional Recruitment Services. Her work has included complex change management; multi-national business acquisitions and alternative dispute resolution processes. She has designed and led Leadership; Graduate and in-house Apprenticeship Development Programmes, resulting in regional and UK awards.
A graduate of Queens University Belfast, Sinead holds a LL.B in Law with Politics in addition to an MSc in Communication, Training and Development. She has conducted extensive research into the dynamics of trust in workplace relations. She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (FCIPD).
Sinead has previously served on the Board of a third sector organisation, including chairing their Remuneration Committee.
She is currently a serving member of the Industrial Court NI, remunerated at £305.52 payable for each full day of hearing.
Northern Regional College
Mr Brendan Devlin
Brendan Devlin is a qualified accountant, and has gained 18 years’ experience working in various roles across the public sector, including the NHS, Northern Ireland Audit Office and, most recently, the Northern Ireland Civil Service. He has extensive experience in financial accounting, budgeting, financial planning and audit. From his current role as Head of Governance in the Department of Justice, he brings knowledge and experience of corporate governance, risk management and business planning.
Brendan has a keen interest in sport and volunteers as treasurer of his local GAA club as well as coaching a number of youth teams.
He has a BA in hospitality management from Ulster University and is a qualified member of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy.
Brendan does not hold any other public appointments.
Mrs Carla McGovern
Carla McGovern is an experienced chartered accountant with keen analytical skills and sharp business acumen.
In her 10 year accounting career she has worked with public and private sector clients across a wide range of industries. She has extensive financial, communication, leadership, team management and project management skills.
In 2017, Carla joined IQ-EQ, the world's 4th largest investor services company. Carla is now the groups senior operation lead, leading the group through operational changes.
Carla has an unwavering commitment to integrity, transparency and good governance. In 2020/21 she participated in a Boardroom Apprentice programme, whereby she learnt the skills of an effective boardmember, whilst sitting on the board of North West Regional College.
Carla is also a trustee for Magherafelt and District Gateway Club (non-renumerated), a charity set up to help adults with learning difficulties.
Carla does not hold any other public appointments.
Mr Brendan Patterson
Brendan Patterson has an extensive background in project management in the community and voluntary sector, with a 25-year career spanning management of youth, arts, and community development organisations. Brendan has been Project Manager at Focus on Family Nurturing & Development Centre for the last fifteen years where he has strategically developed an ethos of people-centred support work, educational programmes, diverse service-delivery, local collaboration, and social enterprise growth to enhance the organisation and the wider locality.
Based within the Neighbourhood Renewal area of Ballysally & Millburn in Coleraine, Brendan is the vice chair of Coleraine Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership and sits as a director on Coleraine SureStart Partnership.
Brendan does not hold any other public appointments.
Ms Jayne Taggart
Jayne Taggart has an extensive and proven track record spanning over 30 years in the delivery of local, regional and cross-border economic development.
As CEO of Enterprise Causeway, she has significant experience working with entrepreneurs and micro enterprises to encourage business start-up activity, business growth and sustainability.
Appointed as a director in 2018, Jayne is the current vice-chair of Enterprise Northern Ireland, the umbrella membership organisation representing NI’s Local Enterprise Agency network.
Jayne serves on the board of several third sector organisations and charities and in 2021, was appointed as council member of Ulster University’s governing body (non-remunerated, travel & subsistence expenses only).
In 2014, in recognition of her contribution to entrepreneurship & economic development, she was the recipient of the Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion. In 2022, Jayne was recognised by Social Enterprise NI as Social Enterprise Leader of the Year.
Jayne does not hold any other public appointments.
North West Regional College
Mr Paul Clancy
Paul Clancy has extensive and proven experience over the past 33 years across a range of manufacturing and distribution organisations predominantly in the agriculture, drinks, membership organisations and construction sectors.
As CEO of the Derry/Londonderry Chamber of Commerce and CEO of The Vintners’ Federation of Ireland he has gained significant experience working with businesses and key stakeholders throughout the NW Region and beyond.
As an executive board member with BDR Thermea and DeLaval has experience working at board level on the development and implementation of corporate governance activities in the UK and Ireland.
He has a BSc Hons in electrical engineering from Trinity College Dublin, along with diplomas in manufacturing management and human resource management from the Irish Management Institute.
Paul does not hold any other public appointments.
Mrs Sharon McMahon
Sharon McMahon is the CEO of Loughs Agency, serving as the organisation’s most senior official since March 2017. Having joined the agency as Director of Corporate Services in 2014, she was initially responsible for various areas that included finance, corporate policy, strategic development and other relevant corporate requirements. As CEO, Sharon is responsible for the long-term strategic direction of the organisation within both the Foyle and Carlingford catchment areas.
Throughout her career, Sharon has demonstrated an innate ability to build and lead successful teams. Prior to joining Loughs Agency, she spent 12 years working for Waterways Ireland, holding various high-ranking posts including Head of Strategy & Policy and Head of Operations. During this time, Sharon obtained valuable experience working within a North South co-operation dynamic, and the knowledge she has accumulated working at the largest of the North South Implementation Bodies stands with her to this day.
A graduate of the University of Ulster Business School and holder of a Professional Certificate in Governance, Sharon spent over two decades of her career working in the private sector, where she was able to gain considerable leadership experience before embarking on a career in the public sector. Her leadership style combines action with pragmatism, ensuring no organisational decisions are made until all financial and governance boundaries have been considered in full.
Sharon does not hold any other public appointments.
Southern Regional College
Mrs Geraldine Campbell
Geraldine Campbell has extensive experience of governance, oversight and representing the public interest as a non-executive director of various public sector bodies across the UK and Ireland since 2007. She has chaired people committees, audit and risk committees as well as being a member of education, policy and research committees of a number of professional regulation bodies. She has been involved in the oversight and quality assurance of undergraduate education and life-long learning frameworks to support a variety of professionals including the social care workforce and various other healthcare professionals. She has been involved in bringing a lay perspective to the education and training of doctors and dentists in Northern Ireland since 2012 and more latterly as board member of The Northern Ireland Medical Dental Training Agency, responsible for the oversight of employment of doctors-in-training and the education of both doctors and dentists-in-training.
Geraldine has a B.Sc., M.Sc. from Queen’s University Belfast and a Certificate from The London School of Economics.
She holds one current public appointment in Northern Ireland with The Northern Ireland Medical Dental Training Agency (remuneration £3,200 p.a.).
Mr Sean Fitzsimons
Sean has over 48 years experience working across private, public and third sector. He has extensive senior level experience and qualifications in construction, property and environmental management
His previous roles have included working as a managing director of a private sector construction firm, working in policy and compliance within building control at local government level, Head of Facilities and Assets for the NIFRS with responsibility for management of Capital Infrastructure Programme exceeding £170m. Sean was Project Director for the new NIFRS Learning Development Centre project and is currently director of asset management in a third sector social housing provider.
Sean also has extensive board experience including 8 years as vice chair of the board and chair of the Property Development Committee for Ark Housing Association. He also is a board member for Ashton Community Development and has previously proudly chaired the board of his local GAA club - Russell Gaelic Union.
Sean is passionate about increasing universal design and supporting policy and practice in respect of accessible and affordable housing stock, particularly for those with disabilities.
Sean’s qualifications: MSc Construction and Project Management; BSc Management Practice; Member of the institute of Leadership and Management (M. Ins. L&M); Member of the Chartered Institute of Building (MCIOB); Member of the Chartered institute of Housing (CIHCM); Chartered Environmentalist (C,Env)
Sean does not hold any other public appointments.
Mrs Monica Kelly
Monica is fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland with over 12 years’ experience in practice (KPMG and FPM) and 9 years as Head of Finance / Finance Director in industry (Andor Technologies, CDE and Menarys). Monica has gained considerable experience from her time in these fast-paced, global, successful group of companies.
In 2023 Monica completed a Help to Grow management programme in Queens University.
In 2020 Monica completed the Boardroom Apprentice program and sat on the Board of the Northern Ireland Office.
In 2018 she won Accountant of the Year at the Irish Accountancy Awards.
In 2017 Monica completed an ILM Level 3 Award in Leadership & Management.
She has a degree in accounting and a Masters in advanced accounting.
Monica has an impressive track record of continuous improvement, making a difference and positively changing the dynamics and processes within the finance teams she led.
She works well with other heads of department providing regular comprehensive, proactive, and value-added finance and commercial support and guidance. Monica strives to help drive profitability in these organisations.
Monica has an interest in education, in Monica’s own time, alongside her full time employment, Monica was an examiner for Chartered Accountants Ireland for 10 years, a lecturer for Accounting Technicians Ireland for two years and a tutor for BSc accounting degree at Queens University for one year.
She does not hold any other public appointments.
Mrs Patricia McCaffrey
Mrs McCaffrey is Head of Finance at Waterways Ireland, the largest of the North South bodies since its establishment in 2002.
Patricia has led professional teams for over 25 years in service areas including finance, procurement and audit in both the public and private sectors. She is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, and has a Masters degree in executive leadership.
Patricia previously held a public appointment on the board of South West College from 2014 to 2023 and during her tenure served as Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee and as a member of the Staffing Committee and a member of the Erne Project Board responsible for the build of the Erne Campus an award winning and first educational Passive House Premium rated building in the world.
She also sits on the Audit Committee of The Ulster Scots Agency and is Treasurer on the Board of Irvinestown Credit Union.
Until 31July 2023, Mrs McCaffrey is a member of the Governing Body of South West College (remunerated at £250 for a governing body meeting and £150 for a committee meeting or event sanctioned by the Chair plus travel and subsistence allowances).
Mrs Angela Whiteside
Angela Whiteside has extensive experience of vocational education and training gained over many years both in Northern Ireland and abroad.
After a long career in further education, she became an inspector with the Education and Training Inspectorate from 1999 – 2007 responsible for monitoring and reporting on quality across a wide range of institutions providing vocational education and training programmes.
In 2007, Angela moved to the then Department for Employment and Learning now the Department for the Economy, as Quality Improvement Adviser. She played a key role in developing and implementing teacher education policies for the sector including continuous professional development initiatives.
Since retiring in 2016, Angela has worked as a consultant both in Northern Ireland and abroad. She is currently an Associate Consultant with the British Council in TVET (technical and vocational education and training), a role which has involved her working in Vietnam, Morocco, Tanzania, Botswana and Mauritius.
She previously served on the Boards of the Council for the Curriculum Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) and of the Accounting Technicians Ireland.
Angela has a BA in French and History and an MSc in Information Processing.
She does not hold any other public appointments.
South West College
Mrs Elizabeth Armstrong
Elizabeth has extensive and proven experience in global and cross border organisations. Her, previous employment includes private and public sector experience in roles as HR Director in Bombardier Aerospace and Head of Human Resources in Waterways Ireland. Her HR experience has involved working in multi union environments and with Skills Training Centres on the development of bespoke programmes for semi and skilled roles within the engineering industry.
She has served on the NI Branch of the CIPD during the period 2000 – 2005, organising training and development events on behalf of the local CIPD branch and has worked as an Independent Assessor with the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments (OCPA).
Elizabeth currently serves as a member of the Industrial and Fair Employment Tribunals Northern Ireland (remunerated).
She holds a HNC in Business & Finance, an MA in Human Resource Management, and is a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (MCIPD)
Elizabeth does not hold any other public appointments.
Mrs Maria Curran
Maria Curran is an experience leader in careers education with a demonstrated history of working with industry, universities and colleges.
She has a BEd in Physical Education and taught PE and careers for 26 years in a Northern Ireland post primary school. She is passionate about educating and training young people with the skills and qualities required for future work. Maria a huge advocate of Apprenticeships believing that they provide young people with the skills for future work and at the same time empowers businesses with a continuous talent pipeline.
Maria was appointed Project Director of the MEGA Network (Manufacturing & Engineering Growth & Advancement) in August 2019. In just over three years, the MEGA network has established itself as a successfully and highly respected collaborative skills network, with industry leading and shaping skills solutions best suited to meet industry’s own needs. This initiative sits centre-square “on-strategy” with every major government programme and policy relating to economic development, and employability and skills growth in the region.
Maria does not hold any other public appointments.
Dr David Cutting
Dr David Cutting is an experienced leader with exposure to the private and public sectors, working nationally and internationally. He is currently a Senior Lecturer in the School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Queen’s University Belfast where he acts as the Director of Undergraduate Education overseeing in excess of 1,500 students over five degree pathways.
Immediately prior to joining Queen’s David worked as a Senior Research Associate in the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research based at the University of East Anglia. From 2009-2011 he worked for the Ministry of Health and Social Services of the Government of the Republic of Namibia managing and delivering IT systems for an area eight times the size of Northern Ireland.
A committed educationalist David has published and presented on key topics in technical education and is especially interested in how data can be used to make better decisions in inclusive education.
David has an HND in Computing, an MSc in Advanced Computer Science, and a PhD in Software Engineering. He is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and a Fellow of the British Computer Society.
David does not hold any other public appointments.
Mrs Maria Hackett MBE
Maria Hackett has several qualifications including B.Ed. (Hons), M.Ed., Dip Math Ed., and a Diploma in Management (DME).
She previously worked at East Tyrone College and South West College and retired in 2018. Her extensive and proven teaching and management experience spanned over 30 years and included the role of senior manager with responsibility for educating learners in a range of Apprenticeship and Social inclusion courses across Tyrone and Fermanagh.
As a board member with Cookstown and Dungannon Business Education Partnership she worked to develop links with employers and provide training and employment opportunities for learners
From 2004-2012 she worked as an Associate Inspector with ETI.
In 2016 she was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s New Years Honours list for services to Training in the southwest region.
Since retiring she is actively Involved at a senior level with examination awarding organisations and is currently an Assistant Principal Examiner and Team Leader with AQA and Cambridge International. She also carries out various roles with OCN NI.
She is currently vice chair of the Governing Body of Holy Trinity College.
Maria does not hold any other public appointments.