Joe McVey

Mr McVey, who led Northern Ireland charity Brain Injury Matters (BIM) from 2019 to 2023, will take up his post on 6 October 2025 for a period of four years.

Prior to joining BIM, he was founding partner of Blueprint Development Consultancy from 1999 to 2018, working with a wide range of customers drawn from the public community and voluntary sectors.

He continues to be actively involved in the voluntary and community sector, being chair of the VSB Foundation and the Golden Thread Gallery, a trustee of the Linenhall Library and LFT Trust, and board member of Co3.

He is also a non-executive director of the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust and has served eight years as a commissioner with the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland.

In 2010, Mr McVey was awarded an OBE for services to the voluntary sector.

He is an honours graduate from Queen’s University Belfast and holds a Master’s in business administration and a Master’s in business improvement.

First minister Michelle O’Neill said: “We want to congratulate Joe McVey on his appointment to this crucially important role. Victims and survivors deserve a strong, independent voice to ensure their needs are recognised and prioritised and it is vital that we continue to do all we can to support them.

“We are confident that Joe McVey will be a dedicated champion and powerful advocate for the rights and needs of all those who have suffered.”

Deputy first minister Emma Little-Pengelly said: “Ensuring that the needs of victims and survivors is at the heart of our trauma informed, victim-centred service is the key component to this vital work.

“I wish Joe all the best in his new role as commissioner as he works to ensure that the voices of our victims and survivors are heard loud and clear, and that they have access to the highest quality mental and physical wellbeing support.”