Owen Harkin, Deputy Chief Executive / Executive Director of Finance

Owen Harkin took up his current position as Director of Finance & Estates with Northern HSC Trust in September 2015, assuming the role of Deputy Chief Executive in April 2020.

A graduate of the University of Ulster, Owen began his career in the Finance department of the Western Health and Social Services Board in Derry in 1988. He progressed through a series of finance roles within the health service across Northern Ireland and had a six year spell as a Chief Finance Officer in the Education sector from 2004 to 2010. This included roles in supporting Commissioning, service modernisation and integration, performance management. He returned to the health and social care sector in 2010 and was Assistant Director of Finance with the Health and Social Care Board until 2015, during which time he spent a year as Acting Director of Finance.

Owen has a long-standing interest in finance team development and is Past President of HFMA, the recognized UK professional body for the finance profession and finance staff in healthcare. He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.

As Executive Director of Finance Owen leads on the development of the Trust Financial Strategy and Annual Financial Plan and the successful delivery of statutory financial targets, in conjunction with key stakeholders within the Trust, with regional Commissioners and with senior colleagues within the Department of Health. This involves ensuring the effective use of resources, including staff, ICT, Capital Infrastructure to improve patient outcomes and optimise value for money. He is also responsible for the Trust Procurement Strategy and for the Estates Management function within the Trust.