Northern Ireland Sports Board Appointments

The Minister for Communities, Gordon Lyons MLA, has appointed Gavin Boyd as Deputy Chair of the Sport NI Board from 1 June 2024 to 31 May 2028. Gavin has been a member of the Sport NI Board since 1 August 2021 and was Acting Deputy Chair from 28 August 2023 to 31 May 2024.

In addition, Minister Lyons has appointed Gregory Irwin, Gary Lyons, Claire Moore and Stephen Reid as members of the Sport NI Board for the period from 1 June 2024 to 31 May 2028. Eoin McGarrity has also been appointed as a member of the Board for the period from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2028.

Sport NI was established in 1973 to develop sport and physical recreation in Northern Ireland, pursuant to the Recreation and Youth Service (NI) Order 1986 and is an independent body of the Department for Communities (DfC). Its primary purpose is to promote sport and physical activity in Northern Ireland.

The Northern Ireland Strategy for Sport and Physical Activity – Active Lives – sets out the vision: “Lifelong participation in sport and physical activity will contribute to an active, healthy, resilient and inclusive society that recognises and values both participation and excellence.”

Notes to editors:

The Vice-Chairman is paid £3,500 based on a commitment of at least 30 days per year. Board positions are unpaid and require a commitment of at least 24 days per year. All board positions are eligible for reimbursement of reasonable travel and subsistence costs.

These appointments have been made in accordance with the Code of Practice of the Commissioner for Public Appointments in Northern Ireland (CPA NI). All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, CPA NI requires that the political activities of appointees are published. All relevant details are set out in the biographies below.

Biographical details:

Gavin Boyd (Deputy Chair): Mr Boyd is a Chartered Accountant with experience in managing budgets in both the private and public sectors. As the first Chief Executive and Accountant of the Education Authority, he designed and implemented the governance and management structures for the new organisation, which had a budget of £1.9 billion and employed 43,000 people. He is a former Director of Cawoods Group, the largest fuel distributor in Northern Ireland. He is a member of the Governing Body of St Malachy’s College Belfast. He holds no other public office and has not been involved in politics in the last five years.

Gregory Irwin (Member): Mr Irwin has led corporate functions in public sector organisations in Northern Ireland, Great Britain, Ireland and Australia for over 25 years. Currently Secretary of the Board of the Utility Regulator, he has shaped effective governance arrangements for the new organisation. At the Food Standards Agency and NSW Food Authority he has improved business services and built successful strategic partnerships with stakeholders. Previously a non-executive director of the Business Services Organisation HSC, he was the first Chairman of the Business and Development Committee. A keen supporter of community sport, he has been a member of Clogher Valley Rugby Club since its inception. A member of the Ulster Rugby Management Committee since 2016 and currently Chairman of the Ulster Rugby Committee. He holds public office as a member of the Northern Ireland Food Advisory Committee (£3885.00 per annum). He has not been involved in any political activity in the last five years.

Gary Lyons (Member): Mr Lyons is currently the CEO of Talkterms, a specialist platform providing personalised dispute resolution advice to a range of clients. He holds a Masters of Laws and a Masters of International Trade Law, with additional accreditations in Risk Management, Compliance and Corporate Governance. He is also an expert mediator and arbitrator, including the art of dispute resolution. He has held a number of varied and prestigious positions, which gives him a wealth of experience to the Board. Gary is a qualified Irish Cycling Team Leader and a member of the Titanic Quarter Cycling Club in Belfast, a qualified Ulster Hockey Coach and a season ticket holder for Ulster Rugby. He holds no other public office and has not been involved in any political activity in the last five years.

Claire Moore (Member): Ms Moore is a member of the Senior Leadership Team at the Royal Belfast Academical Institution and is responsible for financial performance, including management of the annual budget and financial forecasts. She is a former member of the Governing Body of Stranmillis University College from 2014 to 2023. She was Chair of the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee, gaining management skills that she will bring to the Sport NI Board. Ms Moore is also a former member of the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) College Advisory Group from 2017 to 2019, representing the finance sector. She holds no other public office and has not been involved in any political activity in the last five years.

Stephen Reid (Member): Mr Reid retired in May 2024 from his position as Chief Executive of Ards and North Down Borough Council, a position he held for ten years, after almost forty years in local government across six councils in Northern Ireland. A graduate of Loughborough University (Physical Education and Leisure Management), he played rugby at various levels, including Ireland Under 18, Ulster Under 23 and club rugby for Collegians and Belfast Harlequins. Mr Reid is a Fellow of the Institute of Directors, a Chartered Director and holds an MBA from Queen’s University Belfast. He is a former Chair of SOLACE (the Council Chief Executive Group). He brings to the Board experience in working with a wide range of stakeholders, strategic planning, good governance and partnerships. He holds no other public office and has not been involved in any political activity in the last five years.

Eoin McGarrity (Member): Mr McGarrity is a qualified solicitor and is currently Head of Legal and Compliance and a Director at Charterhouse Group, where he is responsible for Risk Management, Governance, ESG and Legal Compliance. He was previously a Governor of a local primary school, where he chaired the Joint Consultative Committee. He brings a range of commercial, financial and partnership skills to the Board. He holds no other public office and has not been involved in any political activity in the last five years.

4. Media enquiries should be directed to the DFC Press Office email address.

5. Follow us on Twitter @CommunitiesNI

6. The Executive Information Service operates an out-of-hours media enquiry service only between 6pm and 8am Monday to Friday, weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.

Share this page