Language Commissioners and Director of the Office of Identity and Cultural Expression appointed
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The First Minister and deputy First Minister have announced the appointment of Dr Katy Radford as the Director of the Office of Identity and Cultural Expression (OICE), Pól Deeds as the Irish Language Commissioner, and Lee Reynolds as the Commissioner for the Ulster Scots and the Ulster British tradition.
They will take up their posts on 13 November, for a period of five years.
They have also confirmed the appointments of Brian Dougherty, Ellen Finlay, Stephen Moore, Dr Callie Persic and Dr Jacqueline Witherow as members of the OICE Board.
They will take up their positions on 3 December, also for a five-year term.
The First Minister and deputy First Minister announced the appointments in a Written Ministerial Statement to the Assembly – Written Ministerial Statements 2022-2027.
Notes to editors:
- The principal aims of the Office of identity and Cultural Expression are:
- to promote cultural pluralism and respect for diversity,
- to promote social cohesion and reconciliation between those of different national and cultural identities,
- to increase the capacity and resilience of people to address issues related to differences in national and cultural identity, and
- to support and promote the celebration of the cultural and linguistic heritage of all people living here.
- The Board of the Office of identity and Cultural Expression is made up of the Director and five members.
- The principal aim of the Irish Language Commissioner is to enhance and protect the use of the Irish language by public authorities in the provision of services to the public or a section of the public.
- The principal aim of the Commissioner for the Ulster Scots and the Ulster British tradition is to enhance and develop the language, arts and literature associated with the Ulster Scots and the Ulster British tradition.
- The Director and Commissioners appointments are remunerated and attract a salary of £88,268 per annum. The positions are full time for a term of five years with eligibility of one renewal for a second term of office, subject to satisfactory performance.
- The other members of OICE appointments are remunerated at £2,500 per annum. The expected time commitment is approximately 1 day per month for a term of five years with eligibility of one renewal for a second term of office.
- Although these public appointments are not regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments (CPANI), the appointment process for these appointments reflected the spirit of the CPANI Code of Practice. The new Identity and Language Authorities will be added to the schedule of the Commissioner for Public Appointments (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 when it is next updated.
- Dr Katy Radford (MBE) brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role of the Director of the Office of Identity and Cultural Expression, having previously served as an Equality Commissioner for Northern Ireland, Vice-Chair of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and as a member of the Commission for Flags, Identity, Culture, and Tradition. Katy was the first chair of the Racial Equality Subgroup, acting as a strong voice to Government on issues affecting minority ethnic people, migrants, and race relations. Katy was also Acting Director of the Institute for Conflict Research and was Acting Director of Policy and Research at the Commission for Victims and Survivors. Katy currently serves as an Electoral Commissioner for Northern Ireland and as Chair of the British Council Northern Ireland Advisory Committee.
- Pól Deeds brings valuable experience and insight to the role of the Irish Language Commissioner, having previously held a role as CEO of An Droichead, an Irish language organisation that promotes the development of Irish language and culture. Subsequently Pól was appointed as Deputy Chief Executive of Foras Na Gaeilge, the body responsible for the promotion of the Irish language throughout the island of Ireland.
- Lee Reynolds brings leadership experience and sectoral knowledge to the role of the Commissioner for the Ulster Scots and the Ulster British tradition. Lee previously carried out the role of Chief Executive for the Community Convention and Development Company, Policy Advisor for the DUP, and subsequently as the Co-Head of the Ireland and Northern Ireland team of the Institute of Physics. Lee also worked for the Ulster Scots Heritage Council and was a member of the expert panel advising on the development of the Ulster Scots Language, Heritage and Culture Strategy.
- Brian Dougherty (MBE) has over 40 years’ experience in the voluntary and community sectors. Brian is currently CEO with the North-West Cultural Partnership a collaborative group for 6 cultural organisations who work extensively in civic engagement and Peacebuilding across the Derry/Strabane District Council area, the province, cross-border and internationally.
- Ellen Finlay has over 25 years of extensive experience within the community and voluntary sector, working across the women’s, children’s, and mental health fields. As the founder of Policy 360, Ellen has worked with numerous partnerships to shape policy and deliver better outcomes for communities. She is a Non-Executive Director with the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, a Commissioner with the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, a Board Member of USEL and a Lay Member of the SENDIST Tribunal. Ellen brings expertise in governance, policy, and strategic collaboration.
- Stephen Moore has extensive experience in accountancy. He is currently Head of Finance & Corporate Affairs at the Commission for Victims & Survivors having previously worked as a Director / Public sector Accountant with a Belfast-based professional services company.
- Dr Callie Persic works as the Development Manager with the Belfast City Council, leading Belfast’s Connectivity Programme and city centre project, “A Bolder Vision for Belfast.” Working with cross-sector stakeholders and the community, she brings innovation and creativity to solve problems and find solutions to the challenges facing Belfast
- Dr Jackie Witherow has over 20 years of experience across the public, private, and voluntary sectors. She has held several senior leadership roles at the Royal National Institute of Blind People, including Director of UK Nations. She served as Non-Executive Director of the Community Relations Council and formerly led policy development at the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. As Director of Witherow Consultancy, she currently advises organisations on strategy, research and communications.
- All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, the Commissioner for Public Appointments requires the political activity of appointees to be published. The following political activity in the last 5 years has been declared:
- Katy Radford – None
- Pól Deeds – Canvassed on behalf of a political party, or helped at elections
- Lee Reynolds – Acted as a political agent; Held Office such as Chair, Secretary or Treasurer of a local branch of a political party; Canvassed on behalf of a political party, or helped at elections; undertook other political activity considered relevant
- Brian Dougherty – None
- Ellen Finlay – None
- Stephen Moore - None
- Callie Persic – None
- Jacqueline Witherow – None