Education Minister Paul Givan has appointed his party colleague, councillor Mervyn Storey, as the new Chairperson of the Board of the Education Authority (EA).
Storey was an MLA for North Antrim between 2003 and 2022 and served as Minister for Social Development and Minister for Finance and Personnel.
When he lost his seat in the last Assembly election, the DUP appointed him as a Councillor on Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council.
Several MLAs have raised concerns about the appointment, which comes with an annual salary between £50,000 – £60,000, plus travel and subsistence allowances.
The Department of Education said today that the appointment was “made in accordance with the principles and practices of the Code of Practice of the Commissioner for Public Appointments.”
“Appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process,” the statement continued.
In March 2024, the Education Minister appointed Richard Pengelly as CEO of the Education Authority. He has previously served as Permanent Secretary in the Department of Justice and Department of Health. He is married to Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly.
Sinn Féin MLA and Education Spokesperson Pat Sheehan has said the appointment “raises obvious questions.”
The appointment of Mervyn Storey as Chair of the Education Authority, given his previous role as a DUP minister, MLA, and current DUP councillor raises obvious questions for the Minister about the appointment.
The Education Minister has a responsibility to demonstrate a clear commitment to transparency and independence in the oversight and management of our education system which must serve equally and fairly all sections of our community.
I will be raising these important questions and concerns at the Education Committee.
– Pat Sheehan MLA
The Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) Education Spokesperson, Cara Hunter MLA, said there are “serious questions for the Education Minister to answer.”
There are serious questions for the Education Minister to answer following the appointment of Merven Storey as Chairperson of the Education Authority. The appointment of Mr Storey, a DUP colleague of Paul Givan, follows on from the appointment of Richard Pengelly as Chief Executive of EA.
The EA has faced significant challenges in recent years and I appreciate the efforts of the Minister and staff to get this organisation in order, but we cannot ignore the issues raised by these successive appointments.
The Minister must ensure that every appointment process is completely transparent and that the best candidate prevails. Whether there is any substance to it or not, there is no doubt that this appointment will have people asking about ‘jobs for the boys’ and cause further damage to the public perception about the approach to senior appointments within our public sector.
– Cara Hunter MLA
Education Minister Paul Givan said that Storey “brings a wealth of expertise and experience to this role at a critical moment as we seek to transform our education system for the next generation.”
I am pleased to make this appointment today as Mervyn Storey brings a wealth of expertise and experience to this role at a critical moment as we seek to transform our education system for the next generation. He has a sound understanding of the education landscape and an appreciation of the values that underpin the work of the Authority.
Delivering this transformation will require exceptional leadership. There could be no-one better placed to drive forward our agenda than Mervyn, and I look forward to working with him as we make real and impactful change to the lives of children, young people and their families in Northern Ireland.
Having served as a member of the Board of the Education Authority since May 2022, Mervyn has developed an in-depth understanding of the significant operational challenges that the EA is facing, not least in terms of the delivery of Special Educational Needs provision.
Mervyn’s insight and knowledge of the Education system and coupled with his strategic vision and people-focused leadership will drive the EA forward at a time of change. I am confident that Mervyn will be able to build on existing long-standing relationships with key stakeholders and be able to provide invaluable advice and support to the senior leadership team with EA.
I would also like to thank the outgoing Chairperson, Barry Mulholland, for his dedication and service. I am grateful to him for providing leadership, dedicated service and commitment since 1 January 2021, during a significantly challenging period for the organisation and the education system as a whole.
In particular, I appreciate his efforts in leading the EA Board in taking the difficult decisions needed during the Covid-19 pandemic, and more recently the constrained budgetary environment.
– Education Minister Paul Givan MLA
