Commission welcomes new Boardroom Apprentice

The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission is delighted to welcome its newest Boardroom Apprentice, Vivienne Fitzroy.

This is the fifth year that the Commission will be a host board with the scheme.

The Boardroom Apprentice programme is a learning, development and placement programme to gain experience in the boardroom.

Alyson Kilpatrick, Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission’s Chief Commissioner, said:

“I welcome Vivienne as our new Boardroom Apprentice. Along with fellow Commissioners and staff, I look forward to working with her over the next year. I hope we will be able to give her an insight into the work of the Commission, support her development, and help her gain experience at board level. We are very much looking forward to hearing her valuable thoughts and contributions given her many years of experience in policy and campaigning.”

This is the fifth year we have participated in the Boardroom Apprentice scheme, highlighting our firm commitment and support in diversifying our boardrooms across Northern Ireland. We have found it a very positive and enriching experience.”

Vivienne Fitzroy, NIHRC Boardroom Apprentice commented:

“It is a great privilege to have been placed with the NIHRC as a Boardroom Apprentice 2023. Being part of this programme is an incredible opportunity to gain the skills, confidence and learning needed to be an effective public or third sector board member, which is something I aspire to.

I have long been interested in human rights and care deeply about how we treat our most vulnerable citizens. My professional experience in policy and campaigning has touched on issues relevant to human rights in Northern Ireland and I am eager to learn about the work the Commission do to uphold and promote human rights here.

I look forward to gaining valuable insight into how the NIHRC Board carries out its vital role for the benefit of our society. I am very grateful to the Commissioners and staff for the opportunity to learn from their expertise and experience and am excited for the year ahead.”

ENDS

• Vivienne joined the Commission board in September 2023. Her term as Boardroom Apprentice will continue until September 2024.

• More information on the Boardroom Apprentice programme can be found here.