Skip to main content
Department of Health Department of Health An Roinn Sláinte Männystrie O Pouste

Main navigation

  • Home
  • Topics
  • Publications
  • Consultations
  • Contact

Translation help

Translate this page

Select a language

  • Arabic — عربي
  • Chinese (Simplified) — 中文简体
  • Chinese (Traditional) — 中文繁體
  • Dutch — Nederlands
  • Filipino — Filipino
  • French — Français
  • German — Deutsch
  • Hungarian — Magyar
  • Irish — Gaeilge
  • Italian — Italiano
  • Latvian — Latviešu
  • Lithuanian — Lietuvių kalba
  • Polish — Polski
  • Portuguese — Português
  • Romanian — Română
  • Russian — Русский
  • Slovak — Slovenčina
  • Spanish — Español
  • Ukrainian — Українська
  • Reappointment of non-executive member to the Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service

    Date published: 6 February 2026

    Health Minister, Mike Nesbitt has announced the reappointment of a
    Non-Executive Member to the Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service (NIBTS).

    Health Minister, Mike Nesbitt has announced the reappointment of a  

    Non-Executive Member to the Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service (NIBTS). 

    Michael Graham Non-Executive (Lay) Member has been reappointed from 7 February 2026 to a date not later than 6 February 2030. 

    NIBTS Members receive remuneration of £3,459 per annum, and the role carries a time commitment of 20 days per year.

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

    NIBTS supplies all hospitals and clinical units in Northern Ireland with safe and effective blood and blood products and other related services. The service is committed to the care and welfare of voluntary blood donors.  NIBTS is an independent Special Agency of the Department and is responsible for the collection, testing and distribution of over 55,000 blood donations each year. It operates three 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 and the Chief Executive.  

    Notes to editors:

    1. 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, he 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.  He has an MSc in Executive Leadership through UUJ/Boston College and attended Harvard University where he attained a Post Grad qualification in Public Sector Leadership. As Senior Responsible Officer, Michael delivered several significant NIFRS projects in line with Prince 2 methodology and is a Managing Successful Programmes practitioner. Until recently Michael was a Trustee for the National Fire Fighters Charity where he was the Chairperson of the Charities Staff and Governance Committee and Renumeration Committee. Michael has been a member of the NIBTS Board since February 2022 and has previously Chaired the Audit Committee and Governance Committee. He currently represents the NIBTS Board on the HSC Pathology Blueprint Programme Board. 

    2. Appointments to NIBTS are made by the Health Minister.

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

    4. For media enquiries please contact DoH Press Office by e-mail: pressoffice@health-ni.gov.uk

    5. Follow us on: Facebook Department of Health NI, Instagram departmentofhealthni, X @healthdpt, LinkedIn Department of Health NI

    6. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service For Media Enquiries Only between 1800 hrs and 0800 hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.

    Latest news

    • Hospital Parking Charges Bill introduced to NI Assembly

      10 March 2026

    • Guidance published for nurses & midwives to help identify domestic abuse

      6 March 2026

    • Health Minister commends healthcare staff working to reduce waiting lists

      4 March 2026

    • Publication of the Quarterly Northern Ireland Outpatient, Inpatient And Day Case, And Diagnostic Waiting Times Statistics - position on 31 December 2025

      4 March 2026

    More news …
    Share this page Share on Facebook (external link opens in a new window / tab) Share on X (external link opens in a new window / tab) Share by email (external link opens in a new window / tab)

    Department footer links

    • Crown copyright
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy
    • Cookies
    • Accessibility
    • The Northern Ireland Executive
    • The Executive Office
    • Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs
    • Department for Communities
    • Department for Education
    • Department for the Economy
    • Department of Finance
    • Department for Infrastructure
    • Department for Health
    • Department of Justice
    • nidirect.gov.uk — the official government website for Northern Ireland citizens