Extension to Appointment of a Non-Executive Member of the Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service

The Department of Health has announced an extension to the appointment of a Non-Executive Member of the Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service (NIBTS).

Mr Philip Cathcart’s term has been extended from 5 November 2020 to a date not later than 4 November 2021. The Non-Executive Member role attracts an annual remuneration of £3,070 and carries a time commitment of 1 day per month.

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

NIBTS was established in 1994 as an independent Special Agency of the Department of Health in Northern Ireland. It is the sole supplier of blood and blood products to Health and Social Care (HSC) in Northern Ireland. 

NIBTS is managed by a Senior Management Team led by the Chief Executive that reports through a Board chaired by a Non-Executive Chair and supported by three Non-Executive Members.

Notes to editors: 

1. Mr Philip Cathcart graduated from Queen’s University Belfast in 1973 with a B.Sc (Econ) and joined Coopers & Lybrand (now PWC). He qualified as a Chartered Accountant and worked for Ergas (later to become Flogas plc) and later Calor Gas Ireland as Head of Finance and HR. He was also a director of the Calor Group Pension Fund based in Leamington Spa. Mr Cathcart retired from the Calor Group in 2005 and has since been working as a consultant to some small businesses.  Since 1980 he has been a director of JB Anderson Limited, a property company. Mr Cathcart was a governor of the Lisburn Institute of Further Education from 1996 to 2004 and was chairman of the Finance Committee and vice chairman of the Board of Governors. He has been a Non-Executive Member of the board of NIBTS since 2012 and has served as chairman of the Audit Committee during that time.

2. This extension was made with the approval of the Permanent Secretary of the Department of Health prior to Minister Swann being appointed.

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