Catherine Shannon

Catherine is an experienced Human Resources (HR) Leader who has worked for more than 20 years in senior public sector roles. She is currently the Deputy Secretary, NICSHR in the Department of Finance with responsibility for a wide range of HR service delivery functions including resourcing/recruitment, employee relations, learning and leadership development, strategic litigation, pensions and Occupational Health.  Catherine is leading an ambitious transformation of these functions to improve the way NICSHR delivers high quality HR services which will contribute to a more efficient and effective civil service.  

Previously, Catherine worked in Belfast Health and Social Care Trust in a number of roles, including working with clinical and non-clinical leaders at all levels.  These roles provided her with an in depth understanding of the importance of HR expertise in understanding and then supporting and helping to improve the delivery of clinical frontline services for the benefit of staff and services users. 

Catherine is a Fellow Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (FCIPD) and holds Master’s degrees in Public Health Administrations and HR Management.

To relax, Catherine enjoys reading, cooking, baking and travelling.