Appointment Of Non-Executive Chair to the Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service

Health Minister Robin Swann has announced the appointment of a new Non-Executive Chair to the Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service (NIBTS).

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Brendan Garland has been appointed as Chair of NIBTS from 22 April 2024 to a date not later than 21 April 2028.

The Chair position attracts remuneration of £7,915 per annum with a time commitment of 2 days per month.

This appointment is made in accordance with the Code of Practice issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland.

NIBTS exists to supply the needs of all hospitals and clinical units in Northern Ireland with safe and effective blood and blood products and other related services. The discharge of this function includes a commitment to the care and welfare of voluntary donors.  NIBTS is an independent Special Agency of the Department and is responsible for the collection, testing and distribution of over 55,000 blood platelet donations each year. It operates two mobile teams at nearly 180 locations throughout the region. Including headquarters, located adjacent to the Belfast City Hospital, a total of almost 800 donation sessions are held each year.

The Board of NIBTS comprises 5 Members: a Non-Executive Chair, 3 Non-Executive Members (NEMs) and the Chief Executive. 

Notes to editors: 

1. Brendan Garland immediately prior to taking up the position as Chair of NIBTS, had been carrying out the role of Interim Chair since September 2023, and prior to that, had been a Non-Executive Member from 2022.  He is a graduate of Queen’s University Belfast with B. Ed Hons Education and with MSc in Computer Science, and of the University of Ulster with LLB Hons in Law and Government. He  has over 40 years’ experience in Senior Management and Chief Executive/Director Positions. He spent 10 years with Andersen Consulting/Accenture working in International IT and Management Consulting. For 20 years he was CEO of the General Council of the Bar of Northern Ireland, the regulatory and representative body for barristers in Northern Ireland. He has particular experience as a CEO/MD and Responsible Person in the Health and Social Care Sector having worked as CEO for Extra Care for Elderly People Ltd, and as Managing Director at Trackars Healthcare Ltd. Brendan holds two other current public appointments with the Department of Health.  From August 2021 he has been a Lay Member of the Council of the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland; this position attracts a fee of £236 per day and carries a time commitment of up to 12 days per year.  From September 2021 Brendan has held the Non-Executive Finance Member position at the Northern Ireland Medical and Dental Training Agency where he is Vice-Chairman and Chair of the Audit Committee; this position attracts an annual remuneration of £3,327 per year and carries a time commitment of 20 days per year. 

2. Appointments to the Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service are made by the Minister for Health.

3. 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 Garland has declared that he has not engaged in any political activity in the last five years.

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