DAERA Minister has appointed Christine Maggs
as the new Chair of the Council for Nature Conservation and the
Countryside (CNCC).
Alongside the Chair, the Minister has also appointed Aine
Anderson, Fiona Bryant, Mark Dickey-Collas, Ruth Hunter, Martha
McKee, Diane Ruddock OBE, Marc Ruddock and Mark Scott as new
members of the Council.
The CNCC provides expertise and advice to the Department on
nature conservation and protection, including Areas of Special
Scientific Interest, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and
nature reserves as well as on the protection of wildlife species
and the promotional and educational activities relating to nature
conservation or to the countryside.
Confirming the new three-year appointments, Minister Muir said: I
am delighted to welcome the new Chair and Members of the CNCC.
The appointees will play a key role throughout a challenging but
exciting period as the Department takes forward key environmental
programmes and initiatives to support nature recovery and
safeguard our natural environment.
As I welcome the new Chair and Members, I would like to offer my
sincere thanks and appreciation to Sara McCracken for so ably
undertaking the role of Interim Chair as she resumes her role as
Deputy Chair and to former Council members; John Martin, Noel
Rice and Rosemary Thomas for their dedication and valuable
contributions throughout their tenures.
Notes to editors:
1. The Council for Nature Conservation and the Countryside (CNCC)
is a statutory advisory council to DAERA established under the
Nature Conservation and Amenity Lands (Amended) (Northern
Ireland) Order 1989.
2. The Chair position has a time commitment of 48 days per annum
and attracts a remuneration of £11,033 (under review) per annum.
3. The time commitment for the member's role is 18 days per annum
and is not renumerated.
4. The appointments are effective from 24 August 2026 until 23
August 2029.
5. Biographies
Christine Maggs
Christine Maggs was Head of the School of Biological Sciences and
Professor of Phycology at Queen's University Belfast, where she
is now Honorary Professor. Christine's research specialism is
focused on molecular systematics of red and green seaweeds,
particularly aliens, and the interface between marine
conservation and sustainable seaweed exploitation. Christine was
Executive Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology at
Bournemouth University then held the role of Chief Scientist of
the Joint Nature Conservation Committee from 2017-2022, providing
advice to statutory and other organisations on matters of nature
conservation. Christine is a Member of the Royal Irish Academy.
Aine Anderson
Aine Anderson's primary degree is in physical geography, from the
University of Edinburgh. Aine is a researcher and consultant
specialising in agricultural nutrients and renewable energy. Her
research work in her former role at the Agri-Food and Biosciences
Institute (AFBI) focused on sustainable nutrient management,
water-pollution mitigations and phosphorous management. She holds
a PhD from Queen's University Belfast's School of Chemistry and
Chemical Engineering, where her research focused on analysing and
mapping farm nutrient balances in Northern Ireland. She currently
works in a farm advisory and consultancy role for a company of
chartered surveyors specialising in rural property and business
management and is a FACTS (Fertiliser Advisers Certification and
Training Scheme) certified adviser, trained in the efficient and
environmentally responsible nutrient management and fertiliser
use.
Fiona Bryant
Fiona Bryant has a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science.
Fiona has a background in project management in the outdoor
recreation, landscape management, heritage and rural tourism
sectors, including three major Landscape Partnership schemes. She
is experienced in the preparation of landscape management plans,
involving designated areas and protected landscapes including
Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and those with statutory
protections, and United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) World Heritage Site management in
Northern Ireland.
Mark Dickey-Collas
Mark Dickey-Collas is an experienced marine and coastal scientist
who works as an independent consultant, specialising in the
provision of scientific advice to governments on marine
conservation, fisheries, biodiversity and ecosystembased
management. He also contributes to a range of international
government organisations including the and civil society expert
groups, panels and committees, the Food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO) and the International Union for Conservation
of Nature (IUCN). He has held senior leadership roles in major
international marine science organisations and is a former Chair
of the Advisory Committee of the International Council for the
Exploration of the Sea (ICES).
Ruth Hunter
Ruth Hunter is a Professor of Public and Planetary Health and
Director of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Collaborating
Centre at Queen's University Belfast. Ruth's research and project
work spans across a range of public health and environmental
issues and includes studies on green and blue spaces,
systemslevel analysis of ecosystems and environment, pollution
and invasive species. She is CoChair of the Belfast Climate
Commission, and a Board Member of the Ministerial Advisory Group
(MAG) for Architecture and the Built Environment.
Martha McKee
Martha McKee is a doctoral researcher in Marine Ecology at
Queen's University Belfast. Her research focuses on the
restoration of native oyster reefs (Ostrea edulis) to
develop coastal resilience against climate-related threats such
as storm surges, coastal erosion and sea-level rise. She holds a
Master's degree in Marine Ecosystem Management and has extensive
fieldwork experience across England, Scotland, and Northern
Ireland. Her previous background includes roles as a research
assistant, training AI models for seabird identification in
Scotland and mapping subtidal seagrass decline in Greece. Martha
has also worked in administrative positions for the University of
St Andrews and the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology.
Diane Ruddock OBE
Diane Ruddock worked for the National Trust for 37 years, until
retiring in March 2024 from her role as External Affairs Manager
for Northern Ireland. She headed up the conservation charity's
advocacy and communications team, leading on policy and
engagement across a range of nature conservation, land use and
environmental issues. Diane has experience as an advisory and
environmental representative on review and stakeholder groups
including as an expert panel member for the Independent Review of
Environmental Governance in Northern Ireland (2025). She
previously served on the board of Northern Ireland Environment
Link.
Marc Ruddock
Marc Ruddock is a raptor biologist. Marc holds an honours degree
in Zoology and a PhD from Queen's University Belfast. Marc is a
consultant ornithologist and ecologist in the private sector and
for the Golden Eagle Trust in Ireland, where he has worked on the
reintroduction of red kites and the restoration and conservation
of protected species and habitats, integrating this work with
result-based agri-environment approaches. Marc has worked on
numerous national surveys, including hen harrier, peregrine, red
kite and merlin, and has been responsible for developing bird
disturbance and windfarm ornithology guidance for a range of
raptors, waders, owls and waterfowl for statutory bodies across
the UK and Ireland. Marc is a volunteer Trustee and Raptor
Monitoring Officer for the Northern Ireland Raptor Study Group
(NIRSG).
Mark Scott
Mark Scott is Professor of Regional and Urban Planning at
University College Dublin, specialising n sustainability, land
use and rural development. He is a Fellow of the Academy of
Social Sciences and previously served as Dean of the UCD College
of Engineering and Architecture. Mark's background is in
environmental planning and his work spans a range of research and
policy advisory roles, including advising governments,
parliamentary bodies and international organisations on landuse
and planning issues. His research interests include land use
planning, rural planning and development, green infrastructure,
climate change and sustainable development. He is currently Chair
of the Historic Monuments Council (Northern Ireland) and a Board
Member of the Heritage Council (Ireland).
6. The above appointments are based on merit and political
activity plays no part in the selection process. However, the
Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland (CPANI)
requires the political activity of appointees to be published.
The appointee(s) has/have not been involved in any political
activity during the past five years.
7. The statutory role of the CNCC is also covered by the
provisions of The Environment (Northern Ireland) Order 2002.
