Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) Minister Andrew Muir has appointed Siobhán McCauley as the new deputy chair of the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) board.

McCauley has a background in economic and business development and was the former director of regional services at the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.

The minister has also appointed Xiaohui Chen, David Graham, Brian McTeggart, Bill Montgomery, Thérèse Rafferty, Nigel Scollan, Esther Skelly-Smith, Joseph Stewart, Derek Wilson and Vanessa Woods as members of the AFBI board.

The appointments are effective from 1 July 2025 until 30 June 2028. Bill Montgomery and Thérèse Rafferty have previously served one term as board members from 1 May 2022 to 31 July 2025. Their appointment to a second term through this public appointment process is effective for a two-year term from 1 August 2025 until 31 July 2027.

Key roles

Confirming the appointments, Minister Muir said: “I am delighted to welcome the new deputy chair and members to the board of AFBI. The appointees will play a key role in leading and governing AFBI in the delivery of its statutory functions and scientific services in the fields of agriculture, animal health and welfare, food, fisheries, forestry, the natural environment and rural development and enterprise.

“As I welcome the new deputy chair and members, I would also like to offer my sincere thanks to the outgoing board members; Martyn Blair, Daphne Johnston, Tim McClelland, Alan Moore, Tom Tynan and Tom Wright for their dedication and valuable contributions throughout their tenures.”

The deputy chair position attracts a remuneration of £12,289 per annum (under review).

The member position remuneration is £436 per day (under review).