Minister appoints Directors to the Board of Middletown Centre for Autism

Education Minister Paul Givan has announced a number of appointments to the Board of the Middletown Centre for Autism (MCA) following an open advertisement competition.

Miss Colette Deery, Mr Andrew Magowan, Mrs Maeve Marnell and Mrs Kim Scott MBE have been appointed from 22 July 2024 ending on 31 March 2027 (unless terminated before that time).

The Minister said “I am pleased to make these new appointments to the Board of the Middletown Centre for Autism. I am confident they will bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise and fresh perspective to the work of the Board.

“I would also like to thank outgoing Directors, Mrs Dorothy Angus and Mrs Irene Murphy for their dedication and service since their appointments in 2016.”

Miss Colette Deery is currently employed at Edmund Rice College, Glengormley where she teaches Geography. She is a member of the Senior Leadership Team and holds the roles of Learning Support Coordinator and Deputy Designated Teacher for Safeguarding. She does not hold any other public appointments.

Mr Andrew Magowan is a qualified solicitor and a Client Legal Director with law firm The Legal Director, having previously been General Counsel and Company Secretary of a number of businesses, including ASOS.com, Berry Bros & Rudd, Bristow Group and Alpha Group. He is also Chairperson of The Barons Court Project, a homelessness and mental health charity in London. He currently holds one other public appointment as an Independent Non-Executive Director of the Department of Health for which he receives £500 per day for a time commitment of one/two days per month.

Mrs Maeve Marnell is currently a CPANI Independent Assessor, a Trustee of Food for Thought Africa and a Director of Christian Aid Ireland. She currently holds one other public appointment as Chairperson of the Board of the Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education for which she receives no remuneration.  Her second term of office on the Board is due to end on 31 October 2024.

Mrs Kim Scott MBE is currently a Contractor for the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment, and is a former Assistant Director in the Education Authority. Kim is a partner with Belfast Photo Tours and Chairperson of Dundonald Ice Skating Club. She currently holds one other public appointment as a member of the Governing Body of Stranmillis College for which she receives no remuneration. She was awarded an MBE for Services to Education in December 2023.

These new members will bring a wealth of private and public sector experience to the MCA Board. The successful candidates have extensive backgrounds in such areas as governance, strategic decision making and working with others.  Other skills include knowledge and experience of Special Educational Needs and a commitment to improving the lives of children with special education and autistic spectrum disorders. Their significant knowledge and skills will play a key role in underpinning the work of the Board.

All appointees have declared that they have not undertaken any political activity during the past five years.

Notes to editors: 

1. The Middletown Centre is a joint north south initiative with funding provided by the Department of Education and the Department of Education in the Republic of Ireland, to support the promotion of excellence in the development and harmonisation of education and allied services to children and young people with autistic spectrum disorders.
2. This competition was widely advertised including in the Public Appointments section of nidirect. 
3. DE currently provides the Chairperson and four Directors to the MCA Board.  The newly appointed Directors have a term of appointment from 22 July 2024 ending on 31 March 2027 (unless terminated before that time).  The Directors remuneration rate is £160 per day with an estimated workload of one/two days per month.
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