Commissioner for Public Appointments appointed
Date published:
The First Minister and deputy First Minister have today announced the appointment of Claire Keatinge as the new Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland.
First Minister Michelle O’Neill said:
“We want to congratulate Claire on her appointment to this very important and challenging role.
“As guardian of the Public Appointment process, Claire will provide a key role in constructive challenge and guidance to Government departments to ensure that public appointments are based on merit and with proper regard to equality, diversity and inclusion.”
Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said:
“Given the substantial responsibilities carried by Arm’s Length Bodies in Northern Ireland, the Commissioner will ensure that the process for Board Level public appointments here is fit for purpose.
“Claire brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role, and we are confident that this will enable her to provide strong, independent oversight of our Public Appointments process and deliver maximum impact in the years ahead.”
Claire will take up her post on 22nd August 2025 for a period of five years.
Notes to editors:
1. The principal aim of the Commissioner is to regulate, monitor and report on a wide range of Ministerial appointments to the Boards of public bodies here.
2. The Commissioner has 6 statutory duties which are set out in the Commissioner for Public Appointments (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 as amended. They are:
- The Commissioner shall in the manner he or she considers best calculated to promote economy, efficiency and effectiveness in the procedures for making public appointments, exercise his or her functions with the object of maintaining the principle of selection on merit in relation to public appointments.
- The Commissioner shall prescribe and publish a Code of Practice on the interpretation and application by Departments of the principle of selection on merit for public appointment and shall adopt and publish from time to time such additional guidance to Departments as the Commissioner shall think fit.
- The Commissioner shall carry out an audit to review the policies and practices of Departments in making public appointments to establish whether the Code of Practice referred to in paragraph 2 is being observed.
- The Commissioner may require any Department to publish such summary information relating to selection for public appointments as he or she may specify in writing.
- The Commissioner may from time to time conduct an inquiry into the policies and practices pursued by a Department in relation to any public appointment or description of any public appointment.
- The Commissioner shall publish an annual report.
Further information on the work of the Commissioner be found at: www.publicappointmentsni.org/
3. The appointment is remunerated and attracts a salary of £22,857 per annum. The position is part time for a single term of five years.
4. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland requires the political activity of appointees to be published. Ms Keatinge has not declared any political activity in the last five years.
5. Claire Keatinge has been a Director at Age NI and for the Alzheimer’s Society in Northern Ireland with a commitment to high quality services, support and rights for older people to be full and active members of society.
6. In 2011, Claire was appointed as the inaugural Commissioner for Older People in Northern Ireland (COPNI) becoming a powerful advocate for older citizens. In this role, she worked closely with communities, government agencies, and service providers to champion improvements in health, housing, and social care systems.
7. Claire has also held several influential government roles, including Board Member of the Big Lottery Fund in Northern Ireland, Non-Executive Director of the Northern Ireland Prison Service, and the University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust. In each of these positions, she has consistently promoted transparency, accountability, and fairness in public service delivery.
8. Most recently, Claire served as an independent Board Member on the Departmental Management Board of The Executive Office, further contributing her expertise to strategic oversight and public sector reform.
9. Ms Keatinge is also Chair of the Advisory Appointment Committees for University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust.
11. A written Ministerial statement is available at: www.niassembly.gov.uk/assembly-business/official-report/written-ministerial-statements/