Gerard Finnegan has been appointed temporary chairperson of the Governing Body of North West Regional College.
Gerard Finnegan.
The father of three fills the position vacated by Bertie Faulkner, who has retired.
Announcing Mr Finnegan’s appointment, Employment and Learning Minister Dr Stephen Farry paid tribute to Mr Faulkner.
Minister Farry said: “Mr Faulkner has led the College through a period of significant change over the last three years, and I would like to thank him for his contribution to the further education sector.”
Mr Farry said Mr Finnegan had “significant leadership skills” that would ensure the College would maintain its focus on the quality of teaching and learning until he appointed a permanent chairperson.
Mr Finnegan’s appointment has been “warmly welcomed” by the local Chamber of Commerce.
Chamber President Philip Gilliland said: “Gerard Finnegan’s appointment as temporary chair of the North West College is warmly welcomed by the Chamber of Commerce. Gerard and another leading Chamber member Gavin Killeen have been closely involved in addressing outstanding challenges at the College and we congratulate both for their commitment to this.
“It is absolutely vital for the local economy that the North West College provides the right courses in the right subjects with the right outcomes – skills are the raw materials of the modern economy.”
Mr Finnegan is a strategic consultant who established his own business, Gerard Finnegan Associates, in 2010.
The business provides strategic business planning advice, coaching and mentoring to senior executives in public and private sector enterprises.
A qualified chartered accountant, he works with a number of businesses in the food, construction and service sectors and was previously head of finance and corporate affairs and later a project manager for the Ilex Urban Regeneration Company, a director of Pricewaterhouse Coopers, and a regional manager of LEDU/Invest NI.
He was formerly a member of the governing body of the North West Institute of Further and Higher Education.
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