The Education Authority became operational on 1 April 2015 in accordance with the provisions of the Education Act (Northern Ireland) 2014.
The Board of the Education Authority is made up of 20 members plus the Chair as set out below.
- 8 political members who were nominated by political parties according to the D’Hondt mechanism;
- 4 members representative of the interests of the Transferors (the 3 main Protestant churches) of Controlled schools;
- 4 members representative of the interests of the Trustees of Catholic Maintained schools;
- 1 member representative of the interests of Integrated schools;
- 1 member representative of the interests of Irish medium schools;
- 1 member representative of the interests of Voluntary Grammar schools; and
- 1 member representative of the interests of Controlled Grammar schools.
Chairperson
Mr Mervyn Storey took up appointment as the Chairperson of the Education Authority’s Board on 1 January 2025.
Mervyn brings a wealth of expertise and experience to this role at a critical moment as we seek to transform our education system for the next generation. He has a sound understanding of the education landscape and an appreciation of the values that underpin the work of the Authority.
Having served as a member of the Board of the Education Authority since May 2022, Mervyn has developed an in-depth understanding of the significant operational challenges that the EA is facing, not least in terms of the delivery of Special Educational Needs provision. He is paid circa £50,000 per annum plus travel and subsistence expenses based on a time commitment of three days per week.
Mervyn previously served in the Northern Ireland Executive, where he was Minister for Social Development from 2014 to 2016, and then Minister for Finance between January and March 2016. He also held the position of Chair of Education Committee for the Northern Ireland Assembly from 2008 to 2014. More recently, he has served as Chair of the Board of Governors of William Pinkerton Memorial Primary School and as a member of the Board of Governors of Ballymoney High School. He is also currently a member of Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council.
Mrs Catherine Chambers is a Solicitor. She worked in the private sector for 16 years (Partner/Head of Litigation for 8 years). In this capacity she acted for a major trade union and specialised in litigation, employment law and industrial relations law and had experience with judicial reviews, inquests and public enquiries. She is also a former solicitor in the Education Authority (left 2021) and provided advice on areas of education law and employment law.
Mrs Chambers is a Director on the Controlled Schools’ Support Council (CSSC) on a voluntary basis and was a member of its Governance, Audit and Finance Committee. The CSSC is a sectoral support body for controlled schools working to enhance the quality of education provision. She is also a committee member of a sporting organisation. She is a mum of four school age children.
Mrs Chambers has been appointed to the Board to represent the interests of the Transferor Representatives’ Council (TRC). She was first appointed to the Board on 1 April 2025 and the term will end on 31 March 2029. She is paid £8,800 per annum plus travel and subsistence expenses based on a time commitment of approximately five days per month.
Mr Jonathan Craig MIED, is a former aircraft design engineer, a former Mayor of Lisburn Council, a former MLA and member of the Education Committee. He is a member of Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council and a School Governor in two schools across both the primary and secondary sectors.
Mr Craig has been nominated to the Board by the Democratic Unionist Party. He was first appointed to the Board on 1 June 2016. The Education (Northern Ireland) Act 2014 does not provide for a term of a specified length for political members but does provide that political members shall cease to be appointed (and new nominations sought) in the event of changes in the Executive and Assembly as defined under the 1998 Act. He is paid £8,800 per annum plus travel and subsistence expenses based on a time commitment of approximately five days per month.
Mr Stephen Donnelly is a member of the Board of Directors of Omagh Enterprise Company, a member of the Omagh Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership and a member of the Board of Governors of Drumragh Integrated College and Omagh Integrated Primary School. Mr Donnelly has declared that during the last five years he has undertaken activity on behalf of the Alliance Party and has held a number of offices within the Party and has been involved in numerous election campaigns. He does not currently hold any other public appointments.
Mr Donnelly has been nominated to the Board by the Alliance Party. He was first appointed to the Board on 31 May 2022. The Education (Northern Ireland) Act 2014 does not provide for a term of a specified length for political members but does provide that political members shall cease to be appointed (and new nominations sought) in the event of changes in the Executive and Assembly as defined under the 1998 Act. He is paid £8,800 per annum plus travel and subsistence expenses based on a time commitment of approximately five days per month.
Miss Rachael Ferguson is a member of the Alliance Party and a Tiny Tots Community Playgroup Voluntary Board Member. Miss Ferguson has declared that during the last five years she has undertaken activity on behalf of the Alliance Party and has stood for election and canvassed on behalf of the party and is the Alliance spokesperson for Mental Health and Suicide Awareness.
Miss Ferguson has been nominated to the Board by the Alliance Party. She was first appointed to the Board on 31 May 2022. The Education (Northern Ireland) Act 2014 does not provide for a term of a specified length for political members but does provide that political members shall cease to be appointed (and new nominations sought) in the event of changes in the Executive and Assembly as defined under the 1998 Act. She is paid £8,800 per annum plus travel and subsistence expenses based on a time commitment of approximately five days per month.
Mr Ray Gilbert is a member of the Church of Ireland Board of Education. He is a former Senior Education Officer in both the North Eastern Education and Library Board (NEELB) and the EA where he was also the senior responsible officer for Area Planning. He served as a member of the Ministerial Working Group on the strategic development of the Northern Ireland Curriculum and led the strategic redesign of teacher support services to become a School Improvement Service.
Mr Gilbert has been appointed to the Board to represent the interests of the Transferor Representatives’ Council (TRC). He was first appointed to the Board on 1 April 2025 and the term will end on 31 March 2029. He is paid £8,800 per annum plus travel and subsistence expenses based on a time commitment of approximately five days per month.
Mr Maurice Johnston previously served as a member of the North Eastern Education and Library Board for 12 years, and worked for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive for 37 years. He has been a governor at several schools in both the integrated and controlled sectors and is currently a member of the Board of Governors of Killinchy Primary School. He is a former Director of the Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education.
Mr Johnston has been appointed to the Board to represent the interests of the Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education (NICIE). He was first appointed to the Board on 1 April 2020 and his second term ends on 31 March 2029. He is paid £8,800 per annum plus travel and subsistence expenses based on a time commitment of approximately five days per month.
Mr Paul Kavanagh is currently employed by the Martin McGuinness Peace Foundation and served as Special Adviser to the former deputy First Minister.
Mr Kavanagh has been nominated to the Board by Sinn Féin. He was first appointed to the Board on 1 February 2021. The Education (Northern Ireland) Act 2014 does not provide for a term of a specified length for political members but does provide that political members shall cease to be appointed (and new nominations sought) in the event of changes in the Executive and Assembly as defined under the 1998 Act. He is paid £8,800 per annum plus travel and subsistence expenses based on a time commitment of approximately five days per month.
Dr John Kyle has declared that during the last five years he has undertaken activity on behalf of the PUP. He was Deputy Leader of the PUP and spoke on behalf of the party in that capacity. He left the PUP in December 2021 and became a member of the UUP in February 2022 and canvassed for the UUP during the recent Assembly elections. He does not currently hold any other public appointments.
Dr Kyle has been nominated to the Board by the Ulster Unionist Party. He was first appointed to the Board on 31 May 2022. The Education (Northern Ireland) Act 2014 does not provide for a term of a specified length for political members but does provide that political members shall cease to be appointed (and new nominations sought) in the event of changes in the Executive and Assembly as defined under the 1998 Act. He is paid £8,800 per annum plus travel and subsistence expenses based on a time commitment of approximately five days per month.
Mrs Marie Lindsay is a former school principal of St Mary’s College, Derry. She is a governor of a primary school, chairperson of the Board of Management of an Irish school and a member of Council at Ulster University.
Mrs Lindsay has been appointed to the Board to represent the interests of the Northern Ireland Commission for Catholic Education (NICCE). She was first appointed on 1 April 2024 and her term ends on 31 March 2029. She is paid £8,800 per annum plus travel and subsistence expenses based on a time commitment of approximately five days per month.
Mr Frank Maskey is a former Principal of Corpus Christi College, Belfast and former Vice Principal of St Patrick’s College, Belfast. Prior to these positions he was a Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering. He is a member of the Board of Directors in Newstart Education Centre, Belfast, a member of the Board of Governors of St Genevieve’s High School, Belfast, and Member of the Executive Committee and Chairperson of the Strategic Steering Group (Education) of the West Belfast Partnership Board.
Mr Maskey has been nominated to the Board by Sinn Féin. He was first appointed to the Board on 1 February 2021. The Education (Northern Ireland) Act 2014 does not provide for a term of a specified length for political members but does provide that political members shall cease to be appointed (and new nominations sought) in the event of changes in the Executive and Assembly as defined under the 1998 Act. He is paid £8,800 per annum plus travel and subsistence expenses based on a time commitment of approximately five days per month.
Mr Garry Matthewson is a former primary school principal. He has worked as an assessor with the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS), an associate inspector with the Education and Training Inspectorate as well as being a member on various working groups with the Department of Education, CCMS, the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) and EA. In addition, he holds the position of chairperson of the Northern Ireland Nurture Group Network, an educational advocacy group for the introduction and expansion of nurture provision in schools in Northern Ireland. He is also an associate of the Association of Education Advisers and an associate of CCMS. He has recently been appointed to the Board of St Mary’s University College, Belfast.
Mr Matthewson has been appointed to the Board to represent the interests of the Northern Ireland Commission for Catholic Education (NICCE). He was first appointed to the Board on 1 April 2025 and the term will end on 31 March 2029. He is paid £8,800 per annum plus travel and subsistence expenses based on a time commitment of approximately five days per month.
Ms Angela Mervyn is currently employed by the West Belfast Partnership Board in the role of Education Programmes Manager. She is a member of the Board of Governors of St John the Baptist Primary School, Belfast, St Joseph’s Primary School, Belfast and St Mary’s University College, Belfast.
Ms Mervyn has been nominated to the Board by Sinn Féin. She was first appointed to the Board on 1 February 2021. The Education (Northern Ireland) Act 2014 does not provide for a term of a specified length for political members but does provide that political members shall cease to be appointed (and new nominations sought) in the event of changes in the Executive and Assembly as defined under the 1998 Act. She is paid £8,800 per annum plus travel and subsistence expenses based on a time commitment of approximately five days per month.
Mrs Gillian McGrath is a recently retired Director of Education in the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS). Mrs McGrath brings to the EA Board experience of corporate governance and leading the Education Directorate in CCMS. She is a former primary school principal and was employed by ETI as an inspector of schools in all sectors and phases. She currently works as an independent education adviser.
Mrs McGrath has been appointed to the Board to represent the interests of the Northern Ireland Commission for Catholic Education (NICCE). She was first appointed to the Board on 1 February 2021 and her second term will end on 31 March 2029. She is paid £8,800 per annum plus travel and subsistence expenses based on a time commitment of approximately five days per month.
Mrs Eilís Uí Néill is a former teacher in the Irish Medium school sector and principal of Scoil na Fuiseoige, Dunmurry. She is an external reviewer for the Performance Review of Staff Development Scheme in several Irish medium schools and is a Professional Associate with Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta (CnaG).
She has been appointed to the Board to represent the interests of CnaG. She was first appointed on 1 April 2024 and her term ends on 31 March 2029. She is paid £8,800 per annum plus travel and subsistence expenses based on a time commitment of approximately five days per month.
Mr Leo O’Reilly is Chairperson of a College Board of Governors, member of the Executive Committee of the GBA and member of the Senate & Planning, Finance and Resources Committee, Queen’s University Belfast.
Mr O’Reilly has been appointed to the Board to represent the interests of the Governing Bodies’ Association. He was first appointed to the Board on 1 April 2025 and the term will end on 31 March 2029. He is paid £8,800 per annum plus travel and subsistence expenses based on a time commitment of approximately five days per month.
Mr Trevor Robinson OBE is retired from the teaching profession after 36 years working in the grammar school sector where he was headmaster of Lurgan College. He is a former Director of the Controlled Schools Support Council, President of the Association of School and College Leaders NI as well as Chairman of the Association of Controlled Grammar Schools. He is a Trustee of Ahorey Presbyterian Church.
Mr Robinson has been appointed to the Board to represent the interests of the Association of Controlled Grammar Schools (ACGS). He was first appointed on 1 April 2024 and his term ends on 31 March 2029. He is paid £8,800 per annum plus travel and subsistence expenses based on a time commitment of approximately five days per month.
Mr Arthur Scott retired from the civil service after a career spanning 45 years, 20 of which were in a range of different senior civil service roles. He is an experienced leader with extensive knowledge of developing and/or contributing to the formulation of strategies, policies and corporate business plans including programme and project management and corporate governance matters. He is skilled in engaging with stakeholders to identify and discuss opportunities for change and collaboration or to seek views about proposed changes.
As a former Chief Executive/Director, he was personally responsible for the achievement of agreed Ministerial/ Departmental targets and specific programme and project delivery outcomes. As a Senior Sponsor for a number of non-departmental bodies, he independently assessed and provided additional assurance regarding their business performance and compliance with required governance standards.
He has been appointed to the Board to represent the interests of the Northern Ireland Commission for Catholic Education (NICCE). He was first appointed on 1 April 2024 and his term ends on 31 March 2029. He is paid £8,800 per annum plus travel and subsistence expenses based on a time commitment of approximately five days per month.
Mrs Edith Shaw is retired with a background in education and training and is a Governor of Methodist College Belfast and a Director of the Open College Network Northern Ireland.
She has been appointed to the Board to represent the interests of the Transferor Representatives’ Council (TRC). She was first appointed on 1 April 2024 and her term ends on 31 March 2029. She is paid £8,800 per annum plus travel and subsistence expenses based on a time commitment of approximately five days per month.
Lord Weir is a former member of the Northern Ireland Assembly. He has served as Education Minister and previously Chairperson of the Northern Ireland Assembly’s Education Committee. He is a member of the House of Lords for which he receives an attendance allowance when participating in proceedings. He has declared that during the last five years he has undertaken political activity on behalf of the Democratic Unionist Party.
Lord Weir has been nominated to the Board by the Democratic Unionist Party. He was first appointed to the Board on 30 January 2025. The Education (Northern Ireland) Act 2014 does not provide for a term of a specified length for political members but does provide that political members shall cease to be appointed (and new nominations sought) in the event of changes in the Executive and Assembly as defined under the 1998 Act. He is paid £8,800 per annum plus travel and subsistence expenses based on a time commitment of approximately five days per month.
Mr John Wilkinson OBE was a post primary school principal for 23 years. He is a former member of the CCEA Council, the Southern Education and Library Board, the C2K Project Board and more recently, a Non-Executive Director of the Southern Health and Social Care Trust. He is an Associate with the CCEA.
Mr Wilkinson is an Associate with the CCEA. He has been appointed to the Board to represent the interests of the Transferor Representatives’ Council (TRC). He was first appointed on 1 April 2024 and his term ends on 31 March 2029. He is paid £8,800 per annum plus travel and subsistence expenses based on a time commitment of approximately five days per month.