Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald has reappointed 13 members to the governing bodies of five further education colleges in Northern Ireland, effective from 13 January 2026 for a four-year term.

The reappointments cover Belfast Metropolitan College, with Ms Yvonne Murphy, Mr Seamus McGoran and Mrs Lauren McAteer; Northern Regional College, with Mrs Denise McIlwaine; North West Regional College, with Dr Siân Fisher, Mrs Mary Gormley, Mrs Charlene Shongo and Mr Peter Thompson; Southern Regional College, with Mr Gary McMurray and Mrs Hilary Singleton OBE; and South West College, with Dr Lynsey Quinn, Ms Anne McCleary OBE and Mrs Sandra Isherwood.

The appointments were made in accordance with the Code of Practice issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland. The colleges—Belfast Metropolitan College, Northern Regional College, North West Regional College, Southern Regional College and South West College—are five of the six further education colleges in Northern Ireland.

These colleges are non-departmental public bodies under the Department for the Economy, established under the Further Education (Northern Ireland) Order 1997. Governing bodies are responsible for the efficient management of colleges, provision of further education, and determining strategic direction, considering needs of the business sector and local community.

Governing body members receive remuneration of £250 per governing body meeting and £150 per committee meeting or sanctioned event, plus travel and subsistence allowances at Northern Ireland Civil Service rates. All appointments were made on merit, with no political activity declared by appointees in the last five years.