One of Northern Ireland’s most prominent economists is to fill the shoes of Sue Gray as Permanent Secretary of the Department of Finance.
Professor Neil Gibson will take over the post vacated by Ms Gray - who was recently charged with investigating alleged parties at Downing Street during lockdown - in 2021 and currently filled on a temporary basis by Colum Boyle.
Professor Gibson is currently Chief Economist in Ireland for EY and will take over at a crucial time for Northern Ireland as the proposed three-year budget is being debated.