Employment and Learning Minister Dr Stephen Farry (right) congratulates Gerard Finnegan on his appointment as chair of the Governing Body of North West Regional College. Photo: Lorcan Doherty Photography.
Gerard Finnegan was today appointment chairperson of the Governing Body of the North West Regional College (NWRC).
The announcement was made by Employment and Learning Minister Dr Stephen Farry during a visit to the College to meet with members of the Governing Body, management team and staff.
Dr Farry said: “Further education colleges are central to helping deliver Northern Ireland’s vision of a buoyant economy.
‘With its origins and traditions firmly rooted within the local communities it serves, North West Regional College is ideally positioned to understand and respond to the needs of the economy, employers and learners in the North West.
“I am confident this appointment will ensure that the College has the strategic leadership in place to ensure NWRC delivers on its primary goal of up-skilling the local population and contributing to the economic development of the North West region.”
The Governing Body of a Further Education College is responsible for securing the efficient and effective management of the College, determining its strategic direction, appointing its senior staff and ensuring that the College acts as a responsible employer.
The appointment of Mr Finnegan will take effect on 1 April next and is for a period of four years.
North West Regional College was formed in 2007 following the incorporation of Limavady College and North West Institute.
In 2012/13, the College had a total student enrolment of approximately 24,500 and employed 594 people (expressed as full-time equivalents) of whom 390 are teaching staff.
Mr Finnegan is a qualified chartered accountant who runs his own consultancy practice, Sea Change Consulting, which was established in 2010.
The practice provides strategy consulting and business planning and change management advice at board level, working with business leaders to develop and implement growth strategies.
He was previously a Director at PricewaterhouseCoopers and a regional manager of Invest NI where he headed up the agency’s work in the North West for eight years.
Mr Finnegan also spent time with Ilex, the urban regeneration company, where he headed the finance and corporate governance functions, and later worked on the One Plan for Derry where his main interest was in education and skills.
He brings significant leadership skills and experience to the role of chair, as well as experience in developing strategy and managing and advising on change processes.
He does not hold any other public appointments.
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