Corporate Information

Joe was appointed to the appointed to the post of Commissioner for a term of 4 years commencing on 6 October 2025.

Joe’s role as Commissioner for Victims and Survivors for Northern Ireland places him at the heart of one of Northern Ireland’s most sensitive areas of public service. His appointment marks a significant moment in the ongoing journey toward healing and reconciliation for those affected by the legacy of the Troubles.

Joe is an honours graduate of Queen’s University Belfast, having earned a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) and a Master’s in Business Improvement.

His professional career has been deeply rooted in the voluntary and community sector. From 1999 to 2018, Joe was a founding partner of Blueprint Development Consultancy, working with a diverse range of clients across the public, community, and voluntary sectors. His work focused on organisational development, strategic planning and capacity building. From 2019 to 2023, Joe was Chief Executive of Brain Injury Matters (NI), a regional third-sector organisation dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by acquired brain injury.

Beyond his executive roles, Joe has served in numerous governance and advisory capacities. He is currently the Chair of the VSB Foundation, a third-sector organisation that promotes volunteering and civic engagement, and Chair of the Golden Thread Gallery, a contemporary visual arts organisation in Belfast. He is also a Trustee of the Linenhall Library, one of Belfast’s most historic cultural institutions, and a board member of Co3, a leadership organisation for third-sector leaders.

In January 2024, McVey was appointed as a Non-Executive Director of the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, further demonstrating his commitment to public health and wellbeing. He also served for eight years as a Commissioner with the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, where he worked to promote equality and challenge discrimination across society.

In recognition of his contributions to the voluntary sector, Joe was awarded an OBE (Order of the British Empire) in 2010 .

Joe does not hold any other public appointments.

As Chief Executive, Andrew is responsible for managing the performance of the organisation, ensuring good governance, and looking after its operational needs.

Through his direction he steers the team in a highly sensitive political environment, and he always brings every decision back to the Commission’s vision – to improve the lives of all victims and survivors of the conflict in Northern Ireland.

This, he believes, helps deliver one of the many small, incremental changes that Northern Ireland needs to build for the future.

Throughout his time at the Commission, Andrew has been inspired by the passion his team has to make a difference in victims and survivors’ lives. Most significantly, he highlights their work to advise and influence the Victim’s Payment Scheme, which has now become law.

He says: “The payment scheme will help make life a bit easier for victims and survivors, especially for those who have suffered disabilities that they are now carrying with them into old age.”

Andrew joined the Commission in October 2018 as interim Chief Executive and was formally appointed to the position in January 2019.

He brings with him a wealth of experience in leading organisations and setting corporate direction.

A trained accountant, he began his career in London, working with an international chartered accountancy practice. He then spent seven years working in the charity sector where he managed an organisation running youth and community centres in inner city areas of London.

After returning to Northern Ireland, Andrew became Director of Corporate Services at the Rural Development Council, then spent 15 years as Director of Finance and Resources with Sport Northern Ireland. Before joining the Commission, he was Head of Finance and Resources at the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute.

To relax, Andrew enjoys spending time with his family in Banbridge, flying light aeroplanes and hosting a Sunday morning request show on his local community radio station.

Stephen has an LLB degree in Law & Accounting from Queens University, Belfast and is a Fellow of the Chartered Accountants of Ireland.  He started with the Commission in September 2019 having previously worked as a Director / Public sector Accountant with a Belfast based professional services company.

His current role is Head of Finance and Corporate Affairs which involves working closely with the Chief Executive as part of the Senior Management Team (SMT).

His work includes providing support and advice to the Commission on Strategic & Operational Management, Financial Management, Governance & Accountability, ICT and People Practices (HR).

Marie joined the Commission in January 2011. She is responsible for assisting in the development and maintenance of financial systems, premises and contracts management, health & safety and the monitoring and maintenance of assets.

As part of the Corporate Services Team, she helps to ensure the organisation maintains the highest standards of corporate governance and accountability.

As Policy Development, Research and Engagement Manager, Neil’s primary role is to support the planning and implementation of the Commission’s Policy and Research Strategy.

This has involved the effective management of a comprehensive PEACE IV funded Victims and Survivors Research Programme (2017-2022) and working closely with colleagues in the development of a new set of research studies under the PEACE Plus programme.

As part of the Research, Policy Development and Engagement Team, he is responsible for preparing and presenting research reports and briefing papers to both internal and external audiences on a range of issues affecting victims and survivors.

This also includes extensive stakeholder engagement including consulting closely with members of the Victims and Survivors Forum.

Neil has worked closely with six Commissioners and during this time has made a significant contribution to the development of research informed policy advice to Government across many different areas including the Victims’ Payment Scheme and the Strategy for Victims and Survivors.

Catherine joined the Commission in July 2023 and is a Policy Development, Research and Engagement Manager.

As a member of the Policy Development, Research and Engagement team, Catherine’s role is to develop policy, draft policy documents, undertake research and provide advice on issues impacting on victims and survivors of the Troubles/conflict in Northern Ireland. A recent example of this is an advice paper written for the Commissioner of the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery on its work and the NI Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act.

She previously worked at the University of Manchester and Queen’s University Belfast as an expert on post-conflict politics, peacebuilding and identity.

Ashleigh joined the Commission in 2023 after completing a Masters in Literary Studies at Queen’s University Belfast.

Her role includes assisting the team, updating records and files, researching information as well as completing enquiries for other team members.