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22 Oct 2025
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22 Oct 2025
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Former top civil servant Baroness Sue Gray has been appointed to serve on Queen’s University Senate.
Dr Feargal McCormack was also announced as a pro-chancellor at the Belfast university, while Anna Beggan and Lyle Watters have been appointed as lay members of the senate.
Baroness Gray, a former chief of staff to the UK Prime Minister and permanent secretary at the Stormont Department of Finance, also worked as chief of staff to then leader of the opposition Sir Keir Starmer in 2023.
She currently serves as chairwoman of Consello, UK.
Exciting news! We have made four new appointments to our Senate, the governing body that helps shape the strategic direction of the university.
Baroness Sue Gray and Dr Feargal McCormack have been announced as Pro-Chancellors. They’ll play a key role in guiding the University’s… pic.twitter.com/9c9U2qGq3m
— Queen's University Belfast 🎓 (@QUBelfast) July 29, 2025
“Queen’s holds a special place in the heart of Northern Ireland and plays a vital role on the national and international stage,” she said.
“I feel deeply committed to supporting its mission of excellence in education, research and civic engagement and hope my experience in public service will contribute to its strong governance and uphold the values that has made Queen’s such an important institution for generations past, and those yet to come.”
Dr McCormack is currently senior partner at AAB Group and a former president of Chartered Accountants Ireland. He has also been appointed as pro-chancellor and will serve as the deputy chairman of Senate and chairman of the Senate planning, finance and resources committee.
Ms Beggan, a former partner at Tughans Solicitors with extensive experience in employment law, while Mr Watters is a former senior executive at Ford Motor Company with almost four decades of international leadership.
The appointments take effect from August 1 2025 and last four years, following an extensive selection process involving students, staff, alumni and independent assessors, and are non-remunerated.
Dr Len O’Hagan, pro-chancellor and chairman of Senate, said they are “outstanding appointments that will strengthen the governance and strategic direction of Queen’s”.
Professor Sir Ian Greer, president and vice-chancellor, added: “Effective governance is essential to the success and integrity of global university.
“With these appointments, Queen’s gains individuals of exceptional distinction and experience who share a deep commitment to public service and the advancement of higher education.
“I look forward to working with our new Pro-Chancellors and Lay Members of Senate, as we deliver our ambitious Strategy 2030.”
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