IMA Chair Recruitment Update

The Ministry of Justice has confirmed that Nicole Lappin has been chosen as the preferred candidate for the role of Chair of the Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA). This follows an open recruitment competition and assessment process led by a panel, conducted in accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments.

Nicole will now attend a pre-appointment hearing before the Justice Select Committee on December 10th.

An experienced Chair and collaborative leader who has demonstrated how effective governance improves the delivery of public services, including her present role as the Northern Ireland Housing Executive Chair, Nicole has over 10 years’ combined experience in leading three public sector Boards.

She qualified as a Barrister in Dublin and chairs a fitness to practise committee for the Pharmaceutical Society in NI. Additionally, she developed further expertise in regulation as the Chief Charity Commissioner for NI and her experience also spans health, justice, education, and finance. She has led on changing Board governance structures and transformation of service delivery has been central to the organisations she has served.

Chief Executive of the IMA, Miranda Biddle said: “We welcome the forthcoming Justice Select Committee pre-appointment hearing and are pleased that Nicole as an experienced and qualified candidate is being put forward for the role of Chair of the IMA. This is an important role which helps to ensure the IMA is fulfilling its duties to monitor and promote how the rights of EU and EEA EFTA citizens are upheld by public bodies so they can continue to live, work and raise families, here and in Gibraltar, as they did before the UK left the EU.”

While the recruitment process has been underway the Deputy Chair of the IMA, Leo O’Reilly was appointed as Interim Chair. Leo has been a Board Member and Deputy Chair of the IMA since its inception in December 2020. He is a Member of the Senate of Queen’s University Belfast and a member of the Council of the Institute of Professional and Legal Studies in Belfast.

Miranda added, “I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Leo for being the IMA’s Interim Chair since September 2023 and pay tribute to his commitment, support and guidance of the IMA. Under his leadership the IMA has continued to work effectively and has begun the delivery of our second strategy. We look forward to continuing to work with Leo as he continues in his role as Deputy Chair of the IMA.”

Leo said, “I have thoroughly enjoyed taking on the role of Interim Chair to help continue the good work of the IMA while the recruitment process for a permanent Chair was underway.”

Following the pre-appointment hearing on December 10th, the Justice Select Committee will publish their recommendations. The Lord Chancellor will consider their recommendation before deciding on the final appointment which is then submitted to The King in Council for approval.