Chief executive role at Probation Board for Ballymena woman

Cheryl will be the operational lead for the organisation and will manage the delivery of all probation services to communities across the province.

Chairman Vilma Patterson commented: “I am delighted that Cheryl Lamont has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of the Probation Board for Northern Ireland. The board looks forward to working with Cheryl in her new role.”

Cheryl has been (acting) Director of PBNI for the past three years and as chief executive and accounting officer for PBNI, she is responsible for the operational leadership, delivery and management of all probation services in Northern Ireland.

Justice Minister Claire Sugden said: “Probation works within the justice system to change the lives of those who have offended and reduce the number of victims of crime. I congratulate Cheryl Lamont on her appointment.

“I am confident that Cheryl will lead PBNI onto greater achievements in the pursuit of reducing reoffending and changing lives for safer communities across Northern Ireland.”

Cheryl has worked for the Probation Board for over 32 years and is renowned across the criminal justice and social work fields as an outstanding leader and innovator.

“Cheryl introduced the first approved programme for perpetrators of domestic violence in Northern Ireland. She has also led in significant innovative initiatives including the modernisation of probation practice through the introduction of IT systems, and the development of the Victim Information Scheme.

Cheryl said: “I am delighted to have been appointed to the post of Chief Executive. I look forward to continuing my work with the Probation Board and officials from the Department of Justice and colleagues across the criminal justice sector.”