Board Members
Members have been appointed by the Minister for the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) in accordance with the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments (OCPA) NI Code of Practice. The Chair receives an annual remuneration of £32,157 and is expected to commit approximately 40 days per annum to the post. The Deputy Chair receives £13,418 and has a commitment in the region of 20 days per annum. Board Members receive a Per Diem Rate of £477 and their time commitment is unlikely to exceed 20 days per annum.
Prof. Grace Mulcahy (AFBI Chairperson)
Grace Mulcahy is Full Professor of Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology and spent almost 10 years (Jan 2007- Sept 2016) as Dean of Veterinary Medicine and from Sept 2011-Sept 2016 Head of the newly formed University College Dublin (UCD) School of Veterinary Medicine.
She served two terms as a member of the Veterinary Council of Ireland and was for two years a member of the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges Board of Directors.
She currently serves as Research Integrity Officer for UCD and leads the university’s Research Culture activities.
Register of Interests/Gifts & Hospitality - Prof Grace Mulcahy
Ms. Siobhan McCauley, AFBI Deputy Chairperson
Siobhan McCauley brings significant experience from senior roles across the public and private sectors, including in tourism and housing. With a background in economic and business development, she has considerable experience of financial management, corporate governance and strategic planning. As the former Director of Regional Services at the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, she was responsible for leading the regional housing services, providing strategic direction and oversight of large-scale investment and transformational initiatives.
Currently in addition to her role as Deputy Chairperson of AFBI, Siobhan is a Board Member of Northern Ireland Fishery Harbour Authority and a Non-Executive Director to the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust, which are remunerated at £5,355 and £9,327 per year respectively.
Dr. Xiaohui Chen
Dr. Xiaohui Chen is an Associate Professor at the University of Leeds and is currently the Deputy Director of Research and Innovation, with expert knowledge in Physics-Informed Machine Learning (PIML) and Coupled Multiphysics Modelling for Materials and Fluids. He has led and directed numerous research initiatives with broad industrial applications across his specialist areas including geotechnical engineering, water research, subsurface disposal, energy, sustainable agriculture and food, biodiversity and environmental engineering. He is a Fellow of the Institution of Environmental Science and a Chartered Environmentalist.
Dr. David Graham
Dr. David Graham is a qualified vet with experience in private practice. He has a wealth of experience in animal health matters, including most recently as the former Chief Executive of Animal Health Ireland. He has specialist knowledge in the diagnosis and control of viral and bacterial diseases and in his former role in the Department of Agriculture’s then Science Service (now AFBI), he led on a cattle health scheme promoting the monitoring, eradication and accreditation programmes to tackle bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD), infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR), Johne’s disease and leptospirosis.
Mr. Brian McTeggart
Brian McTeggart has extensive experience in financial management, governance and organisational development and transformation. He currently runs a holiday property management business and previously held various senior roles, including Director of Corporate Services and Director of Capital Programmes in the former Department of Culture, Art and Leisure. In these roles, he had responsibility for a significant budget and capital investment programme, as well as oversight of strategic and business planning, finance, property and legal services and governance arrangements for Arm’s Length Bodies.
In addition to his role as Non-Executive Director of AFBI, Brian is a Lay Member for the Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Commission, remunerated at £338 per day.
Mr. Bill Montgomery
Bill Montgomery has 34 years’ experience in economic development working for the Industrial Development Board and Invest Northern Ireland. An engineering graduate of Queen’s University Belfast he also later attained an MBA in International Business & Industrial Development from the University of Ulster. Bill had a variety of roles in economic development, including leading the sales and marketing teams in North America for 11 years promoting Northern Ireland as an investment location to many major US corporations. Director roles in Northern Ireland have included leading the International Investment Division, negotiating and securing high value global projects, and more recently encouraging export growth and innovation with the advanced manufacturing sectors.
Gifts and hospitality register & Register of interests
Ms. Thérèse Rafferty
Thérèse Rafferty has 35 years’ experience working in the public sector in roles in local government and higher education. Previously Head of Regeneration in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, she was lead officer on the delivery of Strategic programmes including Rural Development initiatives funded by DAERA and had a financial management role for capital and revenue budgets. She has held a number of previous Board positions in rural development.
Gifts and hospitality register & Register of interests
Prof. Nigel Scollan
Nigel Scollan is currently the interim Head of School of Biological Sciences and formerly Professor of Agriculture and Sustainability in the School of Biological Sciences and Institute for Global Food Security at Queen’s University Belfast.
From his academic and research background, Nigel brings a wealth of knowledge and experience on animal agriculture and sustainable agricultural food systems. Nigel also has a strong track record in knowledge exchange and partnering with industry in the practical application of research and has initiated and managed numerous national and international projects, working with scientific and industry partners.
Dr. Esther Skelly-Smith
Esther Skelly-Smith has extensive experience in equine veterinary practice, with a special interest in equine welfare, sports medicine and rehabilitation. She is a former President of the NI Veterinary Association and current Chair of the British Veterinary Association for NI. She is also an experienced breeder and producer of Irish Sport Horses and farms on a part-time basis, producing both commercial and pedigree sheep.
In addition to her role as Non-Executive Director of AFBI, Esther currently sits on the CAFRE College Advisory Group which is remunerated at £237 per day and DAERA’s High-Level Science Advisory Group, remunerated at £250 per meeting.
Mr. Joseph Stewart
Joseph Stewart OBE LLB JP brings significant finance and governance experience from his executive and non-executive roles in the private and public sectors. He has extensive experience at Director level in employee relations and occupational health and safety matters. Joseph runs two breeding flocks on his family farm and is a trustee of the Suffolk Sheep Society, as well as an experienced horse breeder.
In addition to his role as Non-Executive Director of AFBI, Joseph is currently a Non-Executive Director of the Public Health Agency, chairing its Governance and Audit Committee, which is remunerated at £9,678 per year. He is also the Chair of the Livestock and Meat Commission, remunerated at £18,180.75 per year.
Mr. Derek Wilson
Derek Wilson has a background in financial services, having held a number of senior positions in several banking institutions, latterly specialising in mortgage finance. Derek has significant experience in managing risk and business transformation and change in the financial sector and has extensive experience in governance matters through his non-executive roles, having served on a number of boards.
In addition to his role as Non-Executive Director of AFBI, he is currently the Non-Executive Chair of the Northern Ireland Medical and Dental Training Agency, with a remuneration of £16,131. Derek is also a Commissioner with the Parades Commission, which is remunerated at £22,000 and serves as a member of the governing body of the South Eastern Regional College which is remunerated at £250/£150 for governing/committee meetings respectively.
Dr. Vanessa Woods
Vanessa Woods runs her own Science Communications Consultancy business, working with government bodies, agri-food industry leaders and education professionals. She is the former Chief Executive of Agri-Aware, with significant experience in consumer engagement and communications. Vanessa brings a strong scientific and research background in ruminant nutrition and microbiology and was formerly a senior scientist at AFBI with specialist knowledge in the areas of carbon foot printing, grassland systems and dairy cow data modelling.