The Northern Ireland Audit Office has appointed Marie Mallon OBE as the new Chairperson of its Advisory Board. She succeeds Martin Pitt, who was the NIAO Chairperson for six years until last month when his term was completed.
Marie, who is currently a Non-Executive Director on the Board, takes on the role having enjoyed a distinguished career in public sector leadership. She was previously Director of HR and Deputy CEO of Belfast Health and Social Care Trust for seven years, having held the position of Director of HR with the Royal Hospitals Trust before that. Marie is an associate of the HSC Leadership Centre and was previously Chair of both the Labour Relations Agency and the Public Sector Chairs Forum. She was also recently on the Board of the NI Transport Holding Company (Translink) and, in 2022, she was awarded an OBE for her services to industrial and employment relations in Northern Ireland.
Congratulating Marie on her appointment, Comptroller and Auditor General Dorinnia Carville said:
“I am delighted to welcome Marie as our new Advisory Board Chair.”
“During her tenure as a Non-Executive Director of the Audit Office, and throughout her professional life, Marie has demonstrated her commitment to developing public services and the people who deliver them, while ensuring the highest standards of good governance in the way public money is spent.”
“We greatly look forward to working with Marie in the coming years, and I have no doubt that her extensive experience and knowledge will be a major asset for us in meeting the challenges and embracing the opportunities that lie ahead.”
“I would also like to express our thanks to our outgoing Chair, Martin Pitt who provided excellent service to the Office over the last six years.”
Commenting on her appointment, Marie Mallon added:
“It is a privilege to be appointed as Chairperson of the NIAO’s Advisory Board, and I am really looking forward to working with my colleagues on the Board, Dorinnia and her team. As an existing member of the Board, I have been impressed with the impact the NIAO has made in delivering its vision of independence and excellence in audit to improve public services.”
“Looking to the future, there is a significant opportunity over the coming years to deliver on the strategic objectives set out in the NIAO’s new Corporate Plan - to promote high-quality public audit, to support improved outcomes, and to be a high-performing, people-focused organization. As a Chairperson, I will be passionate about driving these ambitions and high standard, and in providing assurance on the integrity of the NIAO’s work.”
