Extension of appointment to the Board of Sport NI

1. The constitution of the Sports Council for NI (Sport NI) is set out in Schedule 1 of the Recreation and Youth Service (NI) Order 1986. Sport NI works with the Department for Communities to deliver on Sport Matters: The NI Strategy for Sport and Physical Recreation, 2009-2019. This Strategy sets out a new shared sporting vision of "a culture of lifelong enjoyment and success in sport", as well as the key strategic priorities for sport and physical recreation, and informs the direction of future investment – underpinning three areas: participation, performance and places.

2. Board Member positions are unpaid, they receive expenses only.

3. This extension has been made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland Code of Practice.

4. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, the Commissioner for Public Appointments Northern Ireland requires political activity of appointees to be published

5. Biographical details:

Mr Richard Bullick

Mr Bullick is an experienced PR professional, who has been a public sector communications manager for more than a decade. He has previously worked as a management consultant, in tourism project management and been a freelance sports journalist for almost 25 years, including covering three Rugby World Cups and other major international events. A long-time advocate for women in sport, Mr Bullick is currently a non-executive director / board member of Netball NI and was previously on the executive committee of Armagh LGFA. He has served as a director of two building preservation trusts.  Mr Bullick has not undertaken any political activity in the last five years and holds no other public appointments.

Ms Wilma Erskine OBE

Ms Erskine is the former Chief Executive of Royal Portrush Golf Club, where she was also instrumental with bringing the 2019 Open Championship back to N Ireland. She is currently Chairman of the North-West 200 Charity Golf Event as well as a member of a number of local sports clubs. She was awarded a BEM in 2015 for services to Northern Ireland tourism and golf, and an OBE in 2020 New Year’s Honours for golf, tourism and charity. Ms Erskine has not undertaken any political activity in the last five years and holds no other public appointments.

Mr Kyle Ferguson

Mr Ferguson is a Senior lecturer within the School of sport at Ulster University. He has managed a range of European, National and Regional Sports related programmes delivering outcomes in sport inclusion, sports innovation, performance sport and physical activity. His research focuses on the modernisation of public sector sports provision with practical experience across grassroots, community development and elite performance. He is a chartered fellow of the Chartered Management Institute and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Mr Ferguson brings research skills, policy development and financial oversight to the Board. Mr Ferguson has not undertaken any political activity in the last five years and holds no other public appointments.

Mr Kieran Harding

Mr Harding is the Managing Director of Business in the Community Northern Ireland and has held Board positions with a number of leading charities. He has over 20 years’ experience as an Irish Premier League Football Coach and is a Coach Educator for the Irish FA. Mr Harding has not undertaken any political activity in the last five years and holds no other public appointments.

Dr Catherine O’Mullan

Dr O’Mullan has recently retired as Vice Principal/Director of Curriculum at Northern Regional College, responsible for curriculum development and delivery and quality improvement. She worked for over 30 years in the Further and Higher Education sector where she established strategic partnerships with a range of stakeholders including the post primary sector and business and industry to develop bespoke skills training. Dr O’Mullan currently sits on the Board of Trustees of the Odyssey Trust Company and is Chair of W5. She is a non-executive director on the Board of the Western Health and Social Care Trust for which she receives £7,960 remuneration per annum. Dr O’Mullan is also a member of the Institute of Directors. Dr O’Mullan has not undertaken any political activity in the last five years.

6. Media enquiries to DFC Press Office on 028 9082 3532 or email: Press.office@communities-ni.gov.uk. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer on 028 9037 8110.

7. Follow the Department on Twitter