New Commissioner for Victims & Survivors appointed
Date published:
The First Minister and deputy First Minister have today announced the appointment of Joe McVey as the new Commissioner for Victims & Survivors for Northern Ireland.
First Minister Michelle O’Neill said:
“We want to congratulate Joe McVey on his appointment to this crucially important role. Victims and survivors deserve a strong, independent voice to ensure their needs are recognised and prioritised and it is vital that we continue to do all we can to support them.
“We are confident that Joe McVey will be a dedicated champion and powerful advocate for the rights and needs of all those who have suffered.”
Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said:
“Ensuring that the needs of victims and survivors is at the heart of our trauma informed, victim-centred service is the key component to this vital work.
“I wish Joe all the best in his new role as Commissioner as he works to ensure that the voices of our victims and survivors are heard loud and clear, and that they have access to the highest quality mental and physical wellbeing support.”
Joe McVey will take up his post on 6 October 2025 for a period of four years.
Notes to editors:
- The Written Ministerial Statement confirming the appointment of the new Commissioner
- The principal aim of the Commissioner is to safeguard and promote the interests of victims and survivors.
- The work of the Commission is categorised under three overarching and interlinked areas – addressing the past, effective service provision, and building towards a better and more reconciled future.
- This is delivered by listening closely to the lived experiences of victims and survivors, carrying out research that allows the Commission to understand the complex issues and learning from the expertise of other agencies and professionals. Every piece of advice, research and policy development that is delivered, is shaped by collective learning.
- Further information on the work of the Commissioner for Victims and Survivors can be found at: www.cvsni.org/
- The appointment is remunerated and attracts a salary of £79,237 per annum. The position is full time for a term of four years with eligibility of one renewal for a second term of office, subject to satisfactory performance.
- The appointment has been made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland (CPANI) Code of Practice.
- 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. Mr McVey has not declared any political activity in the last five years.
- Between 2019 and 2023 Joe McVey was CEO of Brain Injury Matters BIM (NI), a regional disability third-sector organisation supporting those affected by an acquired brain injury. In this role Joe McVey was responsible for the strategic leadership and management of the organisation. Prior to this between 1999 and 2018 Joe was the founding Partner with Blueprint Development Consultancy working with a wide range of customers drawn from the public community and voluntary sectors. His experience focused upon governance reviews and organisational reviews, strategic planning, evaluation, and facilitation. Joe has also taken on the role Interim CEO.
Joe McVey is actively involved in the voluntary and community sector and is currently the Chair of the VSB Foundation , Chair of the Golden Thread Gallery, a Trustee of the Linenhall Library and LFT Trust and Board member of Co3. In January 2024 Joe was appointed as a Non-Executive Director of the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust and has served 8 years as a commissioner with the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland. In 2010 Joe was awarded an OBE for services to the voluntary sector.
Joe McVey is an Honours graduate from the Queens University of Belfast and holds a Masters in Business Administration and a Masters in Business Improvement.
Joe McVey does not hold any other public appointments.