The First Minister and deputy First Minister have today announced
the appointment of Siobhan Casey as the new Commissioner for
Older People for Northern Ireland.
First Minister said: “We want to
congratulate Siobhan on her appointment to this very important
role. Older people are at the heart of our families and play a
vital role in our communities and it is important we do
everything we can to support them.
“Siobhan has significant experience working with older
people and we are confident that she will be a strong champion
for their rights and needs in the years ahead.”
Deputy First Minister said: “Older
people make a valuable contribution in so many ways and it is
only right that we appoint a Commissioner who will ensure they
have the support and services they need.
“Driving change to improve the wellbeing of older people
has been central to Siobhan's work and I have no doubt she will
use her experience to make sure their voices are heard.”
Siobhan will take up her post on 7 April 2025 for a period of
four years.
Notes to editors:
- The Written Ministerial Statement confirming the appointment
of the new Commissioner is available here - www.niassembly.gov.uk/assembly-business/official-report/written-ministerial-statements/the-executive-office---appointment-of-the-commisioner-for-older-people-for-northern-ireland/
- The principal aim of the Commissioner is to safeguard and
promote the interests of older persons.
- The Commissioner has 12 statutory duties which includes
promoting an awareness of matters relating to and safeguarding
older persons interests, promoting provision of opportunities and
the elimination of discrimination, promoting positive attitudes
towards older persons and encouraging their participation in
public life; keeping under review the adequacy and effectiveness
of law and practices and services; encouraging best practice in
the treatment of older persons; providing advice to relevant
authorities on matters concerning older persons interests;
encouraging older people to communicate with the Commissioner and
staff and seek their views and as far as practicable, ensuring
Commissioner's services are at a convenient place; leading and
providing strategic direction, developing and delivering
outcomes-focused strategic plans and providing good governance
and controls for an annual budget of c. £1.6million.
- The Commissioner has a number of powers, including conducting
investigations, undertaking or commissioning research, issuing
guidance on best practice in relation to any matter concerning
the interests of older persons. Further information on the
work of the Commissioner for Older People can be found
at: www.copni.org
- The appointment is remunerated and attracts a salary of
£79,237 per annum The position is full time for a term of four
years with eligibility of one renewal for a second term of
office, subject to satisfactory performance.
- The appointment has been made in accordance with the
Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland (CPANI)
Code of Practice. Older persons' representatives formed part of
the selection panel for the process.
- All appointments are 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 Casey has
not declared any political activity in the last five years.
- Siobhan Casey was Director of Marketing & Business
Development at Age NI for the last 15 years, where she forged
strong relationships and harnessed thought leadership to
accelerate change and innovation, while raising circa £35million
for advocacy and service delivery for older people.
During her time with Age NI, she developed and secured
programme funding for: people living with dementia, mild
cognitive impairment and older people / carers who were
isolated as a result of COVID-19; led a three-nation programme
to support older workers; and created high profile campaigns
and partnerships to combat loneliness, promote healthy ageing
and redress frailty.
Siobhan is a recognised business leader with extensive
experience working in international marketing, business
development and strategic development with SME's through to
multi-national organisations, private and public sector bodies.
She has held posts as: Director of Derry Boston Ventures;
Director of Corporate Communications at Fruit of the Loom
International and was a consultant in business development and
marketing delivering training and support to hundreds of
businesses / organisations across Northern Ireland.
Siobhan is the European Vice-President the IFA (International
Federation on Ageing); a Senior Atlantic Fellow for Equity in
Brain Health at the Global Brain Health Institute; a member of
Age UK's Services for Older People's Consortium. She was
a member of the UKRI Healthy Ageing Advisory Committee
2022-24.
A graduate of Ulster University, she also holds post-graduate
qualifications in Business; European Marketing;
Entrepreneurship; Sustainable Investment and Equity for Brain
Health.
- Ms Casey does not hold any other public appointments.
