Minister Storey announces Charity Commission re-appointment

Social Development Minister, Mervyn Storey MLA, has announced the re-appointment of Mr Norman Bennett to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland (CCNI) Board.

Mr Bennett, who has already served a three-year term as Commissioner of the CCNI Board, has been re-appointed for a further term of three years to come into effect from 1 September 2015.

The CCNI was established as the regulator of charities operating in Northern Ireland following the enactment of the Charities (Northern Ireland) Act 2008.

Paying tribute to Mr Bennett Minister Storey said: “Mr Bennett has made a very valuable contribution to the work of Charity Commission. His expertise and accumulated knowledge will be invaluable to the CCNI going forward. I would like to thank Mr Bennett for his service and dedication to date and wish him well for the future term.”

This appointment has been made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland’s Code of Practice.

Notes to editors: 

1. The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland (CCNI) was established as the regulator of charities operating in Northern Ireland following the enactment of the Charities (Northern Ireland) Act 2008. The main functions of CCNI are to keep a public register of charities; encourage, facilitate and monitor compliance with charity law; determine charity status; identify and investigate misconduct in charity administration and take remedial or protective action as necessary.
2. The board of the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland comprises a Chief Commissioner, a Deputy Chief Commissioner and five Commissioners. The Chief Commissioner receives remuneration of £5,750 per annum, the Deputy Chief Commissioner £3,450 and Commissioners £2,300 per annum in respect of their appointments.
3. Appointments to the CCNI Board are made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland’s Code of Practice. The Code allows for any public appointee to be re-appointed provided there is evidence of satisfactory performance in their first term and that the total period of their appointment should not normally exceed two full terms of office (8-10 years). The final decision on the re-appointment of Commissioners rests with the Minister.
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. Mr Bennett has declared no political interest.
5. Mr Bennett was Director of Finance at the former Royal Hospitals Trust until 2000 and then moved to undertake the same role at Queens University Belfast from which he retired in October 2010. He is currently a self employed Financial Management Consultant. He has been involved in a number of charities, and also served as a governor of the South Eastern Regional College. He is currently a Trustee of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland and a member of the Church Executive Board. He is also a Trustee of a medium sized Hospital based in the Middle East.
6. For media enquiries please contact the DSD Press Office on 028 9082 9494 or email press.office@dsdni.gov.uk. For out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.

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