Our non-executive members are not involved in the daily management of the Trust. They are independent members who are appointed to provide oversight, challenge and scrutiny. They help ensure that decisions are taken in the public interest.
Non-executive members are appointed in accordance with the Code of Practice issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland.
The appointments are for a fixed-term period of four years, after which the non-executive members will change.
The Chair is required to commit three days per week, while non-executive directors are required to commit one day per week.
Anne O’Reilly, OBE
Chair, Northern Health and Social Care Trust
Anne O’Reilly joined the Northern Trust on 1 May 2023. Prior to this, she was a Non-Executive Director with the Belfast Trust and Northern Ireland Social Care Council. Anne has a long track record of work in the voluntary sector, primarily at Chief Executive level, and currently works in a voluntary capacity with a women’s sector organisation. She has been awarded an OBE for services to older people and voluntary sector.
Anne is Chair of the Remuneration Committee, Charitable Trust Funds Advisory Committee and Northern Partnership and Population Health Committee, and a member of the Adoption Panel.
Scott Armstrong, Non-Executive Director
Scott Armstrong is Head of Expleo Group in Northern Ireland and has been a member of the senior management team in the UK and Ireland since 2008. With over 27 years in the IT industry, he has held a range of director roles in sales, operations and delivery management.
Scott is Chair of the Resources Committee.
Carol Diffin, Non-Executive Director
Carol Diffin has over 39 years’ experience working in the statutory health and social care sector. She is a qualified social worker and has worked primarily in children’s services across Belfast Trust, Southern Trust and the Northen Ireland Guardian Ad Litem Agency. She has held several senior management positions, including Director of Children’s Community Services/Executive Director of Social Work in the Belfast Trust from September 2018 until September 2022. Carol is currently an Associate Consultant with the HSC Leadership Centre and an Associate with Clinical Leadership Solutions.
Carol is Chair of the Outcomes and Assurance Committee.
Paul Douglas, Non-Executive Director
Paul Douglas has 28 years’ experience within the Police Service of Northern Ireland, with 15 years as a senior manager prior to availing of voluntary severance in 2010. He has extensive experience in finance, human resources and partnership working. In the previous 14 years, he has held non-executive roles with the Patient and Client Council, the Probation Board for Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Audit Office.
Paul is Chair of the Audit Committee.
Dr Janet Gray, MBE, Non-Executive Director
Janet Gray has experience in working in elite sport and in the charity and public sectors. She is four times World Disabled Water Ski Champion and world record holder. She is passionate about charity work and is a founder member, former Chair, Director and currently Honorary President of Disability Sports NI.
Janet has been awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire for her work with sport for the disabled.
Michael Keating, MBE, Non-Executive Director
Michael Keating brings over thirty years of experience to the Board and has held a wide variety of strategic and operational roles in the private, public, and voluntary sectors, at both global and local levels. His recent roles have focused on risk management and corporate governance, alongside effective project management and the implementation of management systems. Michael served in a non-civil service public sector role for 20 years and in 1995 was awarded the MBE for his distinguished service.
Michael is a member of the Northern Trust Adoption Panel, Outcomes and Assurance Committee and Remuneration Committee.
Kathy Mackenzie, BEM, Non-Executive Director
Kathy worked in the education sector after receiving an MA from Dundee University. She returned to university and obtained a post graduate diploma in accounting, before changing career direction. She set up her own bookkeeping business, working with small businesses in the Causeway area, and specialising in forensic accounting and payroll services.
Kathy has been awarded a British Empire Medal for her services to social housing in Northern Ireland.
Paul Turley, Non-Executive Director
Paul Turley has over 40 years’ experience working in the Northern Ireland health and social care system. As a local population health lead, he managed the South Eastern Local Commissioning Group for 13 years, and also co-ordinated the regional commissioning of palliative and end-of-life care services and healthcare in the criminal justice system.
How to contact us
All non-executive members can be contacted through our Business Support Manager.
Northern Trust Headquarters, Bretten Hall, Antrim Area Hospital, Bush Road, Antrim, BT41 2RL.
- Telephone: 028 9442 4327
- Email: karen.okane@northerntrust.hscni.net