Written Ministerial Statement

The content of this written ministerial statement is as received at the time from the Minister. It has not been subject to the official reporting (Hansard) process.

The Executive Office - Appointment of the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland

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Published on Monday 18 August 2025

Mrs O’Neill (The First Minister) and Mrs Little-Pengelly (The deputy First Minister): We are pleased to announce the appointment of Claire Keatinge as the new Commissioner for Public Appointments for NI (CPANI), effective from the 22 August 2025. Claire brings extensive experience and insight that will strengthen the work of the CPANI office and support meaningful change where needed.

With the new Programme for Government prioritising public service reform and transformation, it is essential that Board-level public appointment processes are robust, transparent, and effective.

The Commissioner plays a critical role in upholding the integrity of public appointments, helping ensure that arm’s length bodies are led by individuals with the right skills and attributes. This is fundamental to maintaining public trust and delivering high-quality services.

We remain committed to a public appointments process that is merit-based and underpinned by the principles of equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Claire brings extensive experience in championing high-quality voluntary sector services, promoting excellence in public service, and upholding accountability and good governance. Her strong leadership and unwavering commitment to driving meaningful change make her an outstanding candidate for this role.

We wish Claire every success in her new role and look forward to working with her to further strengthen the local public appointments process.