The Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor has confirmed Nicole Lappin is the preferred candidate for the role of Chair of the Independent Monitoring Authority.
The Independent Monitoring Authority was established under the EU (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020. Its purposes are to monitor how public bodies implement and apply the citizens' rights parts of the UK's Withdrawal Agreement with the EU, and Separation Agreement with the EEA EFTA states, and to promote the adequate and effective implementation and application of those rights.
The IMA has the power to receive complaints, launch inquiries and initiate or intervene in legal proceedings. The IMA also has a duty to review the effectiveness of the legislative framework relating to citizens' rights. In exercising its functions, the IMA must have regard to the importance of dealing with general or systemic issues in the implementation and application of citizen' rights.
Nicole Lappin has been selected as the preferred candidate for the role of IMA Chair following a rigorous assessment process conducted in accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments.
The role is subject to pre-appointment hearing by the Justice Select Committee. Pre-appointment scrutiny is an important part of the appointment process for some of the most significant public appointments made by Ministers. It is designed to provide an added level of scrutiny to the appointment process. Pre-appointment hearings are held in public and allow a Select Committee to take evidence before a candidate is appointed. Ministers consider the Committee's views before deciding whether to proceed with the appointment.
Biography
Nicole Lappin is an experienced chair and collaborative leader who has demonstrated how effective governance improves the delivery of public services. Including her present role as the Northern Ireland Housing Executive Chair, Nicole has over 10 years' combined experience in leading three public sector Boards. She qualified as a Barrister in Dublin and chairs a fitness to practise committee for the Pharmaceutical Society in NI. Additionally, she developed further expertise in regulation as the Chief Charity Commissioner for NI and her experience also spans health, justice, education, and finance. She has led on changing board governance structures and transformation of service delivery has been central to the organisations she has served.
