Senior appointments announced at Northern Regional College

Dr Brankin was the founding CEO of Asidua following a management buyout from Fujitsu Telecommunications in 2002, growing it from a start-up to a company employing 140 people across three locations (Belfast, Birmingham and Dublin) delivering technology solutions to the public and private sector.

As VP Engagement & Innovation at the College, he will lead business development activities and drive the College’s innovation and enterprise agenda.

Professor Terri Scott, Principal and Chief Executive of Northern Regional College, said: “Steve’s experience and track record gained over the last three decades in the IT and telecoms sectors will be invaluable in helping us achieve our ambitions.

“I am excited that he is taking up this new role and look forward to working with him,” said Professor Scott.

Commenting on his appointment Dr Brankin said: “I am delighted to be joining the leadership team at Northern Regional College at a time of significant change, particularly as the education sector is poised to adopt greater use of technology to meet the rising expectations of all stakeholders.”

With a PhD in Engineering from QUB, Steve Brankin commenced his career with Harland & Wolff in 1983 and in 1986 he joined BT as a designer of Operations Support Systems.

Thirteen years later he moved to Fujitsu as Product Design Director and led the MBO to form Asidua in 2002. He spent 12 years as CEO of Asidua before selling to Civica in 2014.

Dr Brankin is also a non-executive director of Ampliphae Ltd in Belfast.

His appointment follows the announcement by Northern Regional College earlier this month of Mel Higgins as Chief Operating Officer.

Currently Chief Executive of Ilex Urban Regeneration Company, Mr Higgins will take up his position at the College in December.

As Chief Operating Officer he will be the organisation’s senior financial officer responsible for overseeing the College’s overall budget as well as leading the management and delivery of a number of support services in the College including Finance, Estates, Management Information Systems, Examinations and Human Resources.

Professor Terri Scott, Principal and Chief Executive of Northern Regional College, said: “With his track record of achievement across the public and private sectors, Mel brings a wealth of experience to this senior leadership role at the College.

“He has been instrumental in the success of Ilex in recent years and many of his achievements there, as well as his financial experience, will stand him in good stead for the areas he will be responsible for across our six campuses.

“I look forward to welcoming him to our team later in the year,” said Professor Scott.