Appointment of a new chair of the Northern Ireland Health and Safety Executive

Economy Minister Conor Murphy has announced the appointment of a new chairman of the board of the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI).

Ms Catherine Irwin MBE has been appointed for a four-year term starting on 17 June 2024.

Commenting on the nomination, the Minister said:
“The Health and Safety Officer plays a key role in ensuring the safety of our workplaces. It helps strengthen my economic vision and good jobs agenda. A good job is a safe job.

“The new chairwoman brings with her a number of skills and experience that will complement the competences of the current members of the Management Board. This appointment will strengthen the Board and increase HSENI’s overall effectiveness and success. I wish Catherine the best of luck with her nomination. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the ongoing contributions and commitment of current Board members.”

Notes to editors:

1. The appointment was made in accordance with the Code of Practice issued by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland. More information can be found on the CPANI website.

2. A photo taken by Mrs. Irwin is available on the Department’s website.

3. The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) is an independent public body (NDPB) with Crown status, funded by a grant from the Department of the Economy. It was established on 1 April 1999 by a Council Regulation amending the Health and Safety at Work (Northern Ireland) Order 1978. Its mission is to ensure that risks to people’s health and safety arising from occupational activities are effectively controlled. The HSENI Management Board currently consists of five members.

4. HSENI appointments are regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments (CPANI).

5. All appointments are made on the basis of merit and political activities play no role in the selection process. However, the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments in Northern Ireland requires publication of appointees’ political activities (if reported). The appointee has not undertaken any political activity in the last five years.

6. The Department may take photos and videos at announcements and events to publicize its work. Photographs, interviews, videos or other recordings may be issued to media organizations for advertising purposes or used in promotional materials, including in publications, newspapers, magazines, other print media, television, radio and electronic media (including social media and Internet). Photos and videos will also be stored in the Department’s internal records management system. The Department will retain images and recordings no longer than necessary for the purposes for which they were obtained. The Department’s Privacy Policy is available on our website.

7. To stay up to date with news from the Department of Economy, you can follow us on the following social channels:

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8. For media enquiries please contact the Department for the Economy Press Office at [email protected]

9. The Executive Information Office operates outside working hours only in case of media inquiries from 18:00 to 08:00 from Monday to Friday and on weekends and holidays. The duty spokesman can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.

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