Appointments to the Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service
Date published:
Health Minister Robin Swann has announced the appointment of three Non-Executive Members to the Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service (NIBTS).
Mr David Small’s appointment as Non-Executive (Finance) Member commenced on 5 February 2022 and will end on a date not later than 4 February 2026. Mr Michael Graham’s appointment as Non-Executive (Lay) Member commenced on 7 February 2022 and will end on a date not later than 6 February 2026. Mr Brendan Garland’s appointment as Non-Executive (Lay) Member will commence on 21 February 2022 and will end on a date not later than 20 February 2026.
The Non-Executive Member position attracts an annual remuneration of
£3,170 with a time commitment of 20 days per annum.
These appointments are made in accordance with the Code of Practice issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland.
NIBTS is an independent, Special Agency of the Department of Health which exists to fully supply the needs of all hospitals and clinical units in the province 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 managed by a Senior Management Team, led by a Chief Executive, which reports to a Board.
The NIBTS Board is made up of five Directors including the Chief Executive, a Non-Executive Chair and three Non-Executive Members.
Notes to editors:
- Mr David Small is a career civil servant having recently retired as a Deputy Secretary in the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA). During his NICS career, David worked in the areas of housing, planning, business consultancy, agriculture and the environment. He also served as Private Secretary to two successive Whitehall Ministers during the 1990’s, Conservative Malcolm Moss MP and Labour’s Lord Dubs, and, more recently, worked closely with a number of Northern Ireland Assembly Ministers. Before retiring, David was Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency. He also led the Environment Policy Group within DAERA. As Head of Group and a member of the DAERA Departmental Board, he was responsible for the full range of governance issues, including business planning, ensuring strong systems of internal control and robust financial and risk management. David was recently appointed by DFE as a member of the Northern Regional College Governing Body. Remuneration for this position is £250 for each Governing Body meeting and £150 for attendance at other meetings or events. Time commitment is approximately one day per month.
- Mr Brendan Garland is a graduate of Queen’s University with B.Ed Hons and with MSc in Computer Science and of the University of Ulster with LLB Hons in Law and Government, Brendan has over 30 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. 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 and as MD at Kingdom Healthcare Ltd. Brendan is a Non-Executive Member (Lay) of the Council of the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland. Attendance at meetings up to 4 hours duration attracts a fee of £118 and meetings over 4 hours £235. The time commitment is 20 days per annum. He is also a Non-Executive Member (Finance) of the Northern Ireland Medical and Dental Training Agency where he is Vice-Chairman. This position attracts a remuneration of £3,203 with for a time commitment of 20 days per annum.
- Mr Michael Graham served with the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) for 30 years, joining as a Fire Fighter in 1991 and retiring as the Chief Fire & Rescue Officer (CFRO) in 2021. During his time as CFRO, Michael provided strategic leadership through a period of significant organisational uncertainty including the COVID-19 Pandemic. Michael taught for 3 years at the National Fire Service College where he developed a passion for people development. Michael has an MSc in Executive Leadership through UUJ/Boston College and attended Harvard University where he attained a Public Sector Leadership qualification. As SRO Michael delivered several significant NIFRS projects in line with Prince 2 methodology and is a Managing Successful Programmes practitioner. Michael has recently become a Trustee for the National Fire Fighters Charity, which provides specialist support for members of the UK fire services community, and he is a Member of the Institute of Directors.
- Appointments to NIBTS are made with the approval of the Health Minister.
- 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. The three appointees have declared that they have not engaged in any political activity in the last five years.
- Mr Graham has advised that he does not currently hold any other public appointments.
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