Appointment to the Board of Sport Northern Ireland

Communities Minister, Gordon Lyons MLA, has appointed Stephen Reid as the Vice-Chair to the Board of Sport NI from 1 March 2025 to 28 February 2029. Stephen has been a Sport NI Board Member since 1 June 2024.

Sport NI was established in 1973 to develop sport and physical recreation in Northern Ireland, in line with the Recreation and Youth Service (NI) Order 1986 and is an Arm's-Length Body of the Department for Communities (DfC). Its' main objective is the furtherance of sport and physical activity in Northern Ireland.

The Northern Ireland Strategy for Sport and Physical Activity – ‘Active Living' – sets out a vision of: ‘Lifelong involvement in sport and physical activity will deliver an active, healthy, resilient and inclusive society which recognises and values both participation and excellence.'

Notes to editors: 

1. The Sport NI Vice-Chair receives remuneration of £3,918.30 per annum based on a commitment of at least 30 days per year.
2. This appointment has been made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland's (CPA NI) Code of Practice. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, CPA NI requires the political activity of appointees to be published. Any relevant details are provided in the below biographies.
3. Stephen Reid Biographical Details: Mr Reid retired in 2024 after 39 years of public service in Local Government. He held the post of Chief Executive of Ards and North Down Borough Council from 2014 until his retirement, which included Accounting Officer and Chief Financial Officer responsibilities for the Local Authority. He chaired the Tourism and Regeneration Group as part of the Belfast Region City Deal and also chaired SOLACE (Local Government Chief Executives Group) dealing with a wide range of stockholders and partners. He brings experience of strategic planning, good governance and partnership working to the Board. He does not hold any other public appointments and has not undertaken any political activity in the last five years.