New Board Member appointed to the Northern Ireland Police Fund

Justice Minister Naomi Long has announced the appointment of John Perry, Assistant Secretary of the Police Federation of Northern Ireland (PFNI), as a Board member of the Northern Ireland Police Fund (NIPF).

Mr Perry is appointed as the statutory nominee of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland. He will take up his position on 24 October 2026.

Ms Long said: I would like to congratulate Mr Perry on his appointment and wish him every success for his term of office at the Fund.

The Minister also thanked the outgoing member. She added: I would like to place on record my thanks to former Board Member George Clarke for his personal commitment and contribution to the work of NIPF over the last number of years.

NIPF is an Executive Non-Departmental Public Body of the Department of Justice. The NIPF provides financial assistance, advice, support and care to members and former members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary GC, the Royal Ulster Constabulary GC Reserve, the Police Service of Northern Ireland, the Police Service of Northern Ireland Reserve and their families and dependents, who have been killed or injured by terrorism.

Notes to editors:

1. NIPF shall consist of a Chairperson and six Board members.  One of the Board members is nominated by the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland and one is nominated by the Police Federation for Northern Ireland, subject to the approval of the Department.
2. The procedure for the appointment of Board members is compliant with the Commissioner for Public Appointments Northern Ireland Code of Practice. The appointments are made by the Department of Justice taking account of its statutory duty under The Northern Ireland Police Fund Regulations 2016. 
3. Membership of the NIPF Board is as follows:

• Mr Mervyn Storey Chairperson
• Mr Jonathan Craig
• Ms Leanne McCullough
• Mrs Christine McLaughlin
• Mr Alistair McGowan
• Detective Superintendent Michael Hanna, Chief Constable's Statutory Nominee
• John Perry, Police Federation for Northern Ireland's Statutory Nominee. 

4. This post does not attract remuneration. 

5. The appointment of the Board member is 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.  Details of the declaration in relation to political activity are included below.

John Perry is Assistant Secretary of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland (PFNI) having previously served on PFNI Central Committee and as the Secretary of No 4 Regional Board.  He joined the Royal Ulster Constabulary GC in 1993 as a Part-time Reserve Constable stationed in Carrickfergus.  In 1997 he joined the RUCGC Full-time Reserve and was stationed in Andersonstown, before becoming a Regular Constable in 1999, serving for nine years in Tennant Street and 14 years in Roads Policing.  His current roles include: Trustee of the RUC GC-PSNI Benevolent Fund Charity; Trustee Police Arboretum Memorial Trust; Secretary of PFNI Welfare, Health, Safety & Security Executive Sub Committee; PFNI Health & Safety Lead; PFNI Lead on Roads Policing; Member of the Joint UK Police Staff Associations Health & Safety Committee, and Member of the National Roads Policing Forum. He has no declared political activity.