Charity Commission appoints Chief Executive

Seamus McAleavey, Chief Executive of NICVA said:

"I am delighted at Frances McCandless's appointment as Chief Executive of the new Charity Commission.  As Director of Policy at NICVA Frances made a massive contribution to our work and to the development of our sector.  I know that she is perfect for the challenge that is the new Charity Commission both in terms of providing the regulation and supervision that gives public confidence in Charities, but also enabling Charities to grow and flourish in their work to the benefit of all citizens here.  We look forward to continuing to work with Frances as the first CEO of the new Commission". 

Commenting on her new appointment, Frances stated:

“I am very much looking forward to the new post and the challenge it brings. The Charity Commission here has been long awaited and there is a lot to do, but I know that relationships between the Commission and voluntary and community organisations will be productive and supportive.”

She continued

“I hope that my twenty years of experience in the sector, combined with that of the Commissioners, will strengthen those relationships and build an environment of public trust and confidence to enable charities to get on with doing their vital work in Northern Ireland.”

The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland (CCNI) was officially established, and Commissioners appointed, in April of last year.  Since then a Secretariat team from the Department for Social Development have been busy working to implement the various provisions of the Charities Act (NI) 2008.   The Act will require many commencement orders, the third of which may be implemented this month.

The Register of Charities for Northern Ireland is still on course to be established this month with the necessary legislation having been passed in Westminster to transfer the listing of NI charities from the Inland Revenue to the new Commission.  The Charity Commission will conduct an awareness raising campaign in the next couple of months to communicate what will be expected of charities.

For more information on the Charity Commission, please contact the Governance Team on 028 9087 7777.