Re-appointment of two Board Members to the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute

Northern Ireland's Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has announced the re-appointment of two Board Members, Mrs Maureen McKeague and Mr Ian Buchanan, to the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) for a period of two years up to 30 September 2020.

The re-appointments have been made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland’s (CPANI) Code of Practice (these are regulated appointments). Both Maureen and Ian first took up their appointments on 01 April 2015.

Notes to editors:

1. AFBI is a DAERA Executive Non-Departmental Public Body set up under the powers of the Agriculture (NI) Order 2004.  It is empowered under the Order to undertake scientific work (research and development, testing, advice and information on scientific matters and dissemination of the results of scientific research) in the fields of agriculture, animal health and welfare, food, fisheries, forestry, the natural environment and rural development and enterprise. It employs approximately 619 staff located on six specialised, DAERA-owned sites across Northern Ireland.
2. The above extension 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.  Neither of the appointees have been involved in any political activity during the past five years.
3. Board members are paid £385 per day for a time commitment which is not expected to exceed 20 days per annum.
4. Maureen McKeague enjoyed a successful career with Ulster Bank Group before establishing her own business, Lynx Business Services in 1995.  During her tenure with Ulster Bank, Maureen completed her Banking Certificate and Trustee Diploma with the Institute of Bankers in Ireland going on to achieve first place in the coveted Financial Studies Diploma with the Chartered Institute of Bankers.  Maureen previously worked as the International Fund for Ireland’s only female development consultant, gaining a successful track record in project development while working in partnership with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Department of Social Development.
5. Maureen served as Chief Executive Officer with Derg Valley Care from 2006 - 2017, a local charity providing health and social care, developing DVC as a high quality social care provider, winning the prestigious National Training Award – individual category in 2010. Maureen graduated as a Mental Health and Wellbeing Life Coach in 2015 and has spent much of her spare time researching the benefits of complementary therapy and coaching as supportive interventions for long-term conditions. She recently earned a diploma in Coaching Supervision and attained further certifications in the sports and physical activity field.  She is currently undertaking a BSc in Psychology.
6. Maureen is able to use her experience and qualifications in her recently established spa and holistic well-being business. 
7. Mr Ian Buchanan lives in the North West outside Dungiven on the family farm.  The majority of the farm is located within a Severely Disadvantaged Area and it is all in pasture being fully utilised by sheep and a dairy herd.  A past President of the Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster, he has had a long term involvement in Rural Development, being a past member of the Rural Development Council and a past Chairman of the North West Local Action Group in the 2007 – 2013 Rural Development Programme. Ian was a founder member and inaugural Secretary/Treasurer for the first 25 years of Sperrin Producers Co-op and is currently the Vice Chairman. 
8. He is a member of Ulster Farmers’ Union having served as both the Rural Development and Hill Farming Chairs.  For twelve years, until 2018, he was the elected Northern Ireland Regional member for British Wool, having served as Chairman for the last three.  Ian is married to Pamela and they have five grown up children.