The Northern Ireland Government's independent advisory body on sustainable development
Our People
Head of Sustainable Development Commission in Northern Ireland: Jim Kitchen
Jim Kitchen is Head of the Sustainable Development Commission in Northern Ireland, the Government’s independent watchdog on sustainable development. The Commission provides advice, advocacy and appraisal to help put sustainable development at the core of government policy.
Formerly Head of WWF Northern Ireland, Jim is a passionate advocate of sustainable development and has been extensively involved in its wider acceptance in Northern Ireland, as a member of several governmental advisory panels on sustainability. He has also served on other bodies addressing issues in forestry, tourism and marine conservation.
Earlier in his career, Jim worked in education, as a teacher and later a Headmaster, 13 years of which were spent in Africa.
Senior Policy Officer: Clare McKeown
Clare Mc Keown is the Senior Policy Advisor with the SDC in Northern Ireland and currently on secondment from Belfast City Council, the Largest local authority in N. Ireland, where she holds the post of Sustainable Development Manager.
Previous roles have included Grant Manager for the National Lottery Charities Board, Regional Development Executive with Business in the Community and Economist with Heineken Brewery.
She is a past Chair of the Belfast Fairtrade Steering Group and Captain of Newry Rowing Club.
