Public Appointments Report for Northern Ireland: 2019/20; 2020/21; 2021/22

Date published: 28 March 2023

This report presents data on public appointments (applications received and appointments made) in Northern Ireland between: 1 April 2019 and 31 March 2020; 1 April 2020 and 31 March 2021; and 1 April 2021 and 31st March 2022. The report also includes information on public appointments held on 31st March 2020, 2021 and 2022.

Statistical news release - OFMDFM

Key findings include:

Applications in 2019/20, 2020/21 and 2021/22

  • Between 1st April 2019 and 31st March 2020, 813 applications were received for Public Appointment posts.
  • Between 1st April 2020 and 31st March 2021, 1,072 applications were received for Public Appointment posts.
  • Between 1st April 2021 and 31st March 2022, 1,107 applications were received for Public Appointment posts.
  • Gender is known for 91% of applications received in 2019/20, 95% in 2020/21 and 87% in 2021/22.
  • The proportion of females who applied to Member positions was 36% in 2019/20, 40% in 2020/21 and 38% in 2021/22.
  • The proportion of females who applied to Chair positions was 27% in 2019/20, 34% in 2020/21 and 23% in 2021/22.

Appointments Made in 2019/20, 2020/21 and 2021/22

  • Between 1st April 2019 and 31st March 2020, 361 appointments were made to Public Appointment posts.
  • Between 1st April 2020 and 31st March 2021, 243 appointments were made to Public Appointment posts.
  • Between 1st April 2021 and 31st March 2022, 212 appointments were made to Public Appointment posts.
  • Gender is known for 47% of appointments made in 2019/20, 65% of appointments in 2020/21 and 81% in 2021/22.
  • Where gender is known, 48% of those appointed to public appointments in 2019/20 were females, with corresponding proportions of 34% in 2020/21 and 46% in 2021/22.

Appointments held, 31st March 2020, 2021 and 2022

  • At 31st March 2020, 893 Public Appointments were held.
  • At 31st March 2021, 663 Public Appointments were held.
  • At 31st March 2022, 644 public appointments were held.
  • Gender is known for 39% of individuals who held appointments on 31st March 2020, 64% of appointments on 31st March 2021 and 81% on 31st March 2022.
  • Where gender is known, 43% of those holding public appointments on 31st March 2020 were females, 38% on 31st March 2021 and 42% on 31st March 2022.

Notes to editors: 

  1. The report is available on the Executive Office Statistics and Research Branch website at: https://www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk/topics/public-appointments-reports
  2. Further information relating to the collection and production of the statistics can be obtained by contacting:

    Caoimhe Stewart – Assistant Statistician
    Statistics and Research Branch
    The Executive Office
    Block 2, Knockview Buildings
    Stormont
    Belfast
    BT4 3SJ

    E-mail: caoimhe.stewart@executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk
    Telephone: 028 9052 2644

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