Organisational Structure

On this page

The Council is supported in its work by an Executive Team led by the Chief Executive. It is organised into three broad areas:

  • the Chief Executive’s Office (including the Regulation Unit);
  • the Education Directorate; and
  • the Finance and Corporate Services Directorate.

Chief Executive: Gerry Campbell

Gerry provides overall strategic leadership and direction for CCEA, working closely with the wider Executive Team and CCEA Council.

Gerry joined CCEA in March 2023, after nearly six years leading the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS) as the organisation’s Chief Executive. Prior to his appointment at CCMS, he worked as Chief Executive for Colleges NI and the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People (NICCY).

Alongside these roles, Gerry also provided oversight and governance as the Chair of a local primary school, governor of a post-primary school, and most recently served as a board member of Open College Network Northern Ireland (OCN NI) from 2016 to January 2023.

Interim Director of Qualifications: Michael McAuley

Michael has been working in the education sector since 2004, firstly as a lecturer in further education and then as a teacher and head of department in the post primary sector. Michael joined CCEA in 2010 and has held a number of roles within the organisation. He was appointed Qualifications Business Unit Manager in 2020 where he co-ordinated the business unit’s response to the disruption to the covid pandemic, provision of support for young learners and the phased return to pre-pandemic standards. Michael is accountable for directing the design, operation, awarding and safe delivery of CCEA’s portfolio of qualifications and public examinations. He is CCEA’s responsible officer and on the board of directors of the Joint Council of Qualifications (JCQ).

Download