Minister announces reappointment of Chair to the Board of Tourism NI

Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald has announced the reappointment of the Chair to the Board of Tourism NI.

Ellvena Graham OBE has been reappointed to serve as Chair from 1 July 2025 for a period of three years.

This appointment is made in accordance with the Code of Practice issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland. More information is available at www.publicappointmentsni.org. 

Notes to editors:

1. The Northern Ireland Tourist Board, (now known as Tourism NI), was established under the Development of the Tourist Traffic Act (NI) 1948. Its constitution and continuation were affirmed in the Tourism (NI) Order 1992. Tourism NI is funded by the Department for the Economy (DfE) under Article 7 of the Order, from monies voted by Parliament.
2. Tourism NI appointments are regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments (CPANI).
3. Remuneration for the Chair of Tourism NI is currently £28,602 per annum with a time commitment of at least 5½ days per month.
4. This appointment is made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland requires the political activity of appointees to be published. Ms Graham has declared no political activity.
5. Ellvena Graham OBE has extensive business experience, having worked across a number of different sectors including Energy, Banking, Agri-Food, Business Tourism, Higher Education & Sport. She is currently an independent Non-Executive Director in Dale Farm Ltd and is the immediate past Chair of Catalyst Inc. She provides consultancy to a range of other businesses. Amongst a range of other roles, she has been Chair of the Electricity Supply Board (ESB), one of the major state-owned utilities in Ireland and a Non-Executive Director of Ulster Bank Ltd. She has been Chair of the Belfast Waterfront & Ulster Hall since the new conference centre was established in 2016 and has played an active role in driving business tourism. Ellvena was President of NI Chamber of Commerce & Industry for two terms and is a past Chair of the Economic Advisory Group. Ellvena has over 30 years' experience in Banking, most recently at Executive Management level as Head of Ulster Bank in Northern Ireland, ending in 2015.  Ellvena is a Fellow of the Institute of Directors, a Fellow of the Institute of Banking and a Chartered Bank Director. She was awarded an OBE in the 2018 New Year's Honours list for contribution to the economy and advancement of women in Business. She received the IOD NI Non-Executive Director of the Year award in 2021 and was awarded Doctor of Science in Economics (Honaris Causa) from Queen's University Belfast in 2024.  She holds no other public appointments.