Economy Minister Dr has announced the
appointment of six new members to the governing body of Northern
Regional College (NRC). The appointees are Dr Murat Akser, Mr
John Birkenhead, Mr John D'Arcy OBE, Mr Connor Lundy, Miss Clare
Mullan and Miss Banke Opebiyi.
The six appointments are effective from 18 September 2026 and are
for a period of four years.
Notes to editors:
1. Pen pictures of the appointees are available on the DfE
website: www.economy-ni.gov.uk/articles/appointment-members-nrc-governing-body-pen-pictures
2. The appointments are made in accordance with the Code of
Practice issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments for
Northern Ireland. More information is available on
the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern
Ireland website: www.publicappointmentsni.org/
3. NRC is one of six further education colleges in Northern
Ireland sponsored by the Department for the Economy (DfE).
Colleges are non-departmental public bodies of DfE, which are
established under the Further Education (Northern Ireland) Order
1997. Each Governing Body (GB) is responsible for securing
the efficient and effective management of the college, the
provision of suitable further education to its students and
determining the college's strategic direction. In delivering
college services, the GB takes into account the educational needs
of the business sector and the local community.
4. The post of Governing Body member is 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
which are payable at Northern Ireland Civil Service rates in
respect of activities carried out whilst fulfilling their duties.
5. 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 (if any declared)
to be published. None of the six appointees has undertaken any
political activity in the last five years.
