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The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has confirmed the appointment of Professor Cathy Gormley-Heenan OBE as the new Civil Service Commissioner for Northern Ireland.
Appointments to this role are made by the King on the recommendation of the Secretary of State, in accordance with section 36 (1) of the Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973.
Professor Gormley-Heenan currently serves as University Provost at Ulster University and holds board positions including Trustee of the British-Irish Association and member of the NI Chamber of Commerce.
She also sits on the boards of the Maze Long Kesh Development Corporation and previously served as Commissioner for the Independent Fiscal Commission for Northern Ireland.
The new role carries a daily fee of £300 and is not pensionable.
Selection is conducted strictly on merit, with political activity playing no part in the decision-making process.
In line with Nolan recommendations, however, appointees must disclose their political activity within defined categories.
Professor Gormley-Heenan has stated she has not engaged in political activity over the past five years.