Re-appointment of Chair of the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute

Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Edwin Poots has announced the re-appointment of Colin Coffey as Chair of the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) for a further two years.

Confirming the re-appointment, Minister Poots said: “The role of the AFBI Board is to provide strategic direction and to promote good governance including the highest standards of financial management.  I have decided to re-appoint Colin Coffey as AFBI Chair for a second term of two years from 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2024.

“This decision reflects the very effective performance of Colin as Chair and recognises the key role he plays in leading the Board and supporting the Chief Executive of AFBI. I am delighted Colin has agreed to a second term as AFBI Chair and I am confident that he will continue to provide effective leadership to the Board.”

Notes to editors: 

1. AFBI is a DAERA Executive Non-Departmental Public Body set up under the powers of the Agriculture (NI) Order 2004.  It is empowered under the Order to undertake scientific work (research and development, testing, advice and information on scientific matters and dissemination of the results of scientific research) in the fields of agriculture, animal health and welfare, food, fisheries, forestry, the natural environment and rural development and enterprise.
2. The above re-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.  The appointee has not been involved in any political activity during the past five years.
3. The Chair of the AFBI Board is expected to commit in the region of 40 days per year, for which remuneration of £27,929 per annum is paid.
4. Mr Coffey has served as Chair of the AFBI Board for three years, from 1 April 2019, with the current term ending on 31 March 2022.  He is a Chartered Director and Fellow of the Institute of Directors with extensive experience in Corporate Governance. Mr. Coffey has held a number of senior management posts within the Northern Ireland Food Industry including Chief Executive of United Feeds and Manufacturing Director at Pritchitt Foods. He is currently non-Executive Chairman at Flint Studios, non-Executive Chairman at Natural World Products and non-Executive Director at InvestNI.
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6. All media queries should be directed to the DAERA Press Office: pressoffice.group@daera-ni.gov.uk
7. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800 hrs and 0800 hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.

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