Economy Minister Dr Has Extended the
Appointment of Mr Gordon Milligan Obe As the Independent Convenor
of the College Employers' Forum.
The Extension Took Effect from 9 June 2026 for a Period of 12
Months.
The Extension Was Made in Line with the Code of Practice Issued
by the Commissioner for Public
Appointments for Northern Ireland.
Notes to Editors:
- The Department for the Economy Dfe) Is the Sponsor Department
for the Six Further Education Colleges Established Under the
Further Education Northern Ireland) Order 1997. While Each
of the Colleges Are Employers in Their Own Right, They Have
Traditionally Come Together to Engage Jointly in Collective
Bargaining with Trade Unions on Staff Terms and Conditions
Through the College Employers' Forum Cef). The Role of the Cef Is
to Manage the Fe Colleges' Relationship, As Employers, with Staff
in All Colleges at a Sectoral Level, Arranging for the
Negotiation of Sector-wide Pay, Conditions of Service and Related
Issues. It Is Made up of the Six Governing Body Chairs and
Six Principals/chief Executives of the Fe Colleges.
- Mr Milligan Has Extensive Experience in Working in Both the
Private and Public Sectors in Both Executive and Non-executive
Roles. He Is Currently Chair of the Labour Relations
Agency. His Experience Includes Leadership Roles Within
Large Global and National Organisations Including Bombardier
Aerospace, Nortel Networks and Dunbia Agrifood. Until
January 2024 He Served As an Executive at Translink and Following
a Period As Interim Chief Executive He Was Appointed Deputy Chief
Executive in 2015. He Served As Chair of the Institute of
Directors in Northern Ireland for a Period of Six Years Until
March 2024. He Is Currently Chair of National Museums
Northern Ireland. Gordon Was Awarded the Obe in the 2023
New Year Honours for Service to Business and Human Resources
Management in Northern Ireland. He Has an Mba, Is a Fellow
of the Institute of Directors and Is a Chartered Companion of the
Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development Cipd).
- The Purpose of the Convenor Role Is to Oversee and Report to
Dfe on the Functioning, Evolution and Overall Effectiveness of
the College Employers' Forum.The Role Will Be Remunerated for 1-2
Working Days per Month.
- The Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland
Requires the Political Activity of Appointees and Those Being
Reappointed If Any Declared) to Be Published. Mr Milligan Has Not
Undertaken Any Political Activity in the Last Five Years.
