New Board Member Appointed to the Northern Ireland Police Fund

Justice Minister Naomi Long has announced the appointment of George Clarke as a Board member of the Northern Ireland Police Fund (NIPF).

Mr Clarke is appointed as the statutory nominee of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland.  He will take up his position on 24 October 2022.

Naomi Long said: “I would like to congratulate Mr Clarke on his appointment and wish him every success for his term of office.”

NIPF is an Executive Non-Departmental Public Body of the Department of Justice.  The NIPF provides financial assistance, advice, support and care to members and former members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary GC, the Royal Ulster Constabulary GC Reserve, the Police Service of Northern Ireland, the Police Service of Northern Ireland Reserve and their families and dependents, who have been killed or injured by terrorism.

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Notes to Editors

1. NIPF shall consist of a Chairperson and six Board members. One of the Board members is nominated by the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland and one is nominated by the Police Federation for Northern Ireland, subject to the approval of the Department.
2. The procedure for the appointment of Board members is compliant with the Commissioner for Public Appointments Northern Ireland Code of Practice. The appointments are made by the Department of Justice taking account of its statutory duty under The Northern Ireland Police Fund Regulations 2016.

Membership of the NIPF Board is as follows:

• Dr Michael Wardlow – Chairperson
• Mr Jonathan Craig
• Chief Superintendent Melanie Jones, Chief Constable’s Statutory Nominee
• George Clarke (Police Federation for Northern Ireland’s Statutory Nominee)

3. The post does not attract remuneration.
4. The appointment of the Board member 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.  Details of the declaration in relation to political activity are included below.
5. Pen Picture

George Clarke is a retired police officer having served in the RUC GC and PSNI. He is the Chief Executive of the RUC GC PSNI Benevolent Fund.  He is strongly committed to the need to support police officers and their families when they suffer loss or injury as a result of their service.  He is also a Trustee of the Police National Memorial Arboretum Trust.

Political Activity:  None

6. For media enquiries contact the Department of Justice Press Office at office@justice-ni.gov.uk
7. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted out of hours 028 9037 8110.