Membership of CCEA Council

Chairman

Mr Trevor Carson is from Glengormley and is a self-employed Associate director of BBA Training and an education and training professional. He brings to the Council skills in leadership and communication, experience in governance, and a knowledge and experience of education. Mr Carson does not hold any other public appointments and has not undertaken any political activity during the past 5 years.

Council Members

Mrs Christine Harpur is from Whitehead and is semi-retired/self-employed in a small management consultancy. She has worked in both the public and private sectors and has been an external consultant for City & Guilds since the early 1980's. She is a Joseph Rowntree Trustee of the Integrated Education Fund. She brings to the Council experience in general and HR management, governance, risk management, influencing the strategic direction of an organisation and a broad general knowledge of education. Mrs Harpur does not hold any other public appointments and has not undertaken any political activity during the past 5 years.

Mr David Thompson is a retired Headmaster. He was a former Principal of the Belfast Boys' Model and Regent House Grammar School in Newtownards. He has served on numerous education bodies and continues to undertake some consultancy work. Mr Thompson is a member of CCEA's Finance Committee

Mrs Dorothy Black is a lecturer in Initial Teacher Education and Course Director for Continuing Professional Development Masters programmes at the University of Ulster, Coleraine. She has previous experience as a teacher and field officer for Education for Mutual Understanding. Mrs Black is a member of CCEA's Education Committee

Mr Enda Cullen is from Armaghand has been the Principal of St Joseph's Grammar School, Donaghmore since 2008. He brings to the Council experience in governance including budget management and a knowledge and experience of education. Mr Cullen does not hold any other public appointments and has not undertaken any political activity during the past 5 years.

Mrs Helen McClenaghan OBE is a previous Chief Executive of the Southern Education and Library Board having also served as a teacher and then Board Officer. She has a wide range of educational experience. MrsMcClenaghan is the Vice Chair of Council, Interim Chair of the CCEA Education Committee and a member of the Finance Committee.

Mrs Jennifer Mussen M.A., B.A.(HONS), DIP.ED. from North Down, formerly Principal of an 11-18 Co-ed High School, brings to the Council experience in governance including financial and HR responsibilities,experience as an Examiner , Moderator and Verifier and a knowledge and experience of curriculum and resource development. Mrs Mussen does not holdany other public appointments and has not undertaken any political activity during the past 5 years.

Mr Jim Clarke is the Chief Executive of the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS) and previously Principal of St Gabriel's College, Belfast. Mr Clarke has wide experience of the Northern Ireland education system and has also worked as Chief Executive of an Event Management Company. Mr Clarke is a member of CCEA's Finance and Education Committees.

Mr John Wilkinson has been a teacher for 34 years and Principal of Dromore High School for 18 years. John has been a member of Council since 2006 and is a member of CCEA's Audit and Risk and Education Committees.

Mr Martin Donnelly is from Enniskillen and is a retired Senior Education Adviser with the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS) (1993-2011). He brings to the Council experience in governance including risk management, experience of influencing strategy on a range of educational issues and an extensive knowledge of education. Mr Donnelly does not hold any other public appointments and has not undertaken any political activity during the past 5 years.

Ms Michele Crilly is currently a Programme Director at Queen's University Management School. She was previously e-Learning and High Education Manager at Edexcel and Distance Learning Manager at the British Council. Ms Crilly is a member of CCEA's Audit and Risk Committee.

Dr Peter Cunningham MBE is from Newry and has been the Principal of Ceara Special School, Lurgan since 1995. He brings to the Council experience in governance including financial and HR responsibilities and a knowledge and experience of education. He is currently a board member on the Southern Education and Library Board for which he receives no remuneration although he receives an attendance allowance (£22 up to 4 hours and £30.39 for more than 4 hours) in relation to his duties. He has not undertaken any political activity during the past 5 years.

Mr Robert Thompson is from Ballyclare and was a Head Teacher in Doagh Primary School from 1980 until his retirement in 2012. He was a former board member of the North Eastern Education and Library Board and brings to the Council experience in governance and a knowledge and experience of education. Mr Thompson does not hold any other public appointments and has not undertaken any political activity during the past 5 years. In April 2013 he was appointed to the Governing Body of Stranmillis University College, Belfast

Mrs Rosemary Cowan is from Belfast and is an Associate Consultant with Pennaplc Human Resource Consulting and works with both public and private sector corporate clients. She brings to the Council experience in governance including financial and risk management and a knowledge and experience of education. Mrs Cowan does not hold any other public appointments and has not undertaken any political activity during the past 5 years.

CCEA Officers

Mr Richard Hanna
Interim Chief Executive

Miss Noleen Kennedy
Manager, Chief Executive's Office Council Support Officer