Appointment of a non executive Finance Director to Belfast Health and Social Care Trust

Health Minister Michelle O’Neill today announced the appointment of a Non-Executive Finance Director to Belfast Health and Social Care Trust (BHSCT). Mr. Gordon Smyth was appointed as Non-Executive Lay Director, with effect from 5 April 2016 for a period of four years.

This appointment carries a time commitment of one day per week and may involve commitment both inside and outside normal working hours. The Non-Executive Director role within the Belfast Trust attracts an annual remuneration of £7,960.

The BHSCT is one of five HSC Trusts established in 2007 responsible for the delivery of responsive and effective health and care services and for the ownership and management of hospitals and other establishments and facilities. Each HSC Trust in the north of Ireland is managed directly by a Board of Directors which has corporate responsibility for its operation. The Board is made up of five executive Directors and seven non-executive directors and a non-executive chair. Executive directors and non-executive directors are full and equal members of the Board.

This appointment was made in accordance with the Code of Practice issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments for NI. A selection panel, which included an Independent Assessor, as required by the Commissioner’s Code, considered the suitability of all candidates. The final decision on the appointment rested with the Minister.  

Notes to editors: 

1. Mr Gordon Smyth lives in Ballymoney and has spent most of his working life in the banking sector where he gained 28 years management experience from working in both a head office and branch environment. He has a strong commitment to the voluntary sector where he has had a number of leadership roles. Since June 2014 he has been employed by the Ulster Federation of Credit Unions to modernise the organisation by improving governance standards and bringing about both cultural and organisational change. He is a former non-executive board member of the Medical and Dental Training Agency (NIMDTA) and holds a public appointment as a non-executive financial board member at the Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) where he has been Chair of the Audit Risk and Governance Committee since October 2014.
2. Extensions to appointments to the Health and Social Care Trusts are made with the approval of the Minister for Health. There are no specific qualifications for appointment. Each person is appointed to act in a personal capacity and not to represent any particular interest or group.
3. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, the Commissioner for Public Appointments for NI requires the political activity of appointees to be published.  All appointees have declared they have not engaged in any political activity in the last five years.
4. Media enquiries to DoH Press Office on 028 9052 0579. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned. Follow us on Twitter @healthdpt

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