Linsey Farrell
Linsey Farrell has been Deputy Secretary for Education Policy and Children’s Services at the Department of Education since October 2021.
In this role Linsey has responsibility for a range of education policy areas including Early Years, Children and Youth; Curriculum, Qualification and Standards; Inclusion and Wellbeing; and Promoting Collaboration, Tackling Disadvantage.
Prior to moving to this post, from 2003 Linsey held various posts within The Executive Office.
Ronnie Amour
Ronnie Armour became Deputy Secretary for Resources and Reform in the Department for Education on 3 July 2023. In this role he is responsible for Finance, Education Workforce Development, Area Planning, Admissions and shared Campuses, Corporate Services, Governance and the Independent Review of Education.
Prior to moving to this post Ronnie served as Director General of the Northern Ireland Prison Service and Chief Executive of the NI Courts and Tribunals Service within the Department of Justice.
John Smith
John was appointed as Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Department of Education in September 2014. His Group includes lead responsibility for Infrastructure, Transport, Food and Recovery. Prior to joining DE, John was Finance Director in the Department of Employment and Learning (DEL) and before that he held a similar post in the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.