Profiles

Dr Ian Carson, MB BCH BAO, MD, FFARCSI, was appointed as RQIA Chairman in June 2006. Dr Carson is a former Deputy Chief Medical Officer with the Department of Health Social Services and Public Safety, holding this post from 2002 to his retirement in April 2006.

Dr Richard Adams was Chief Executive of the Forensic Science Agency in Northern Ireland between 1996 and 2003. Richard was appointed to the Board in January 2005, and reappointed for a further four years in January 2009.  He is also a member of RQIA's Audit Committee.

Ms Geraldine Donaghy is the CEO of the Confederation of Community Groups, Newry and Mourne since the mid 1980s and is also currently the Chair of the NI Community Networks Forum. Geraldine was appointed to the Board in September 2005 and reappointed for a further four years in September 2009, and is a member of the Audit Committee.

Mrs Lilian Jennett is currently employed on a part-time basis by the Department of Social Development.  She is a member of the Independent Monitoring Board for maghaberry Prison and Chair of the Council of Independent Monitoring Boards Northern Ireland.  Lilian was appointed to the Board in January 2005, and reappointed for a further four years in January 2009. 

Mrs Ruth Laird was formerly Director of the National Trust NI, Head of Personnel and Training, BBC (NI), and a Fair Employment Commissioner until 1999. Ruth was appointed to the Board in September 2005 and reappointed for a further four years in September 2009, and is chair of the Audit Committee.

Mr Allen McCartney is currently a self-employed Business Consultant. He is also a Lay Magistrate and an Independent Board Member of the Department for regional development.  Allen was appointed to the RQIA Board in January 2005, and reappointed for a further four years in January 2009. He is also a member of the Appointments and Remuneration Committee.

Professor Patricia McCoy was a senior lecturer and Professor of Physiotherapy at the University of Ulster following 14 years service as a Chartered Physiotherapist in the NHS.  Patricia was appointed to the Board in September 2005 and reappointed for a further four years in September 2009. She is also a member of the Appointments and Remuneration Committee.

Mrs Una O’Kane was Headmistress of St Mary’s Grammar School in Magherafelt until August 2004. She is currently a member of the Northern-Eastern Education and Library Board. Una was appointed to the Board in September 2005 and reappointed for a further four years in September 2009, and is a member of the Appointments and Remuneration Committee.

Mr Colin Reid is Policy and Public Affairs Manager for NSPCC. He is a social worker by profession and represents NSPCC on the Strategic Management Board of Public Protection Arrangements for Northern Ireland. Colin was appointed to the Board in January 2005, and reappointed for a further four years in January 2009.  He is also a member of the Audit Committee.

Mr Austin Smith has worked for DuPont Ltd until his retirement April 2004, having held a number of management positions with the company in Northern Ireland, England, Switzerland, and latterly the Netherlands, where he was Global Director of Human resources.  He  is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development.  Austin was appointed to the Board in January 2005, and reappointed for a further four years in January 2009. He is also a member of the Audit Committee.