Southern Regional College Appoints New Director
Southern Regional College’s newly appointed Director of Finance and Planning, Gerard Byrne, has taken up his new role at a pivotal time for Northern Ireland’s Further Education sector.
Bringing a wealth of experience to the position, Mr Byrne has held a number of key roles spanning financial management, internal and external audit, risk management, governance, performance management, health and safety, and compliance.
His immediate priorities upon taking up the appointment include finalising the College’s 2026/27 budget allocation once the Executive has agreed the overall Northern Ireland budget, while also gaining an in-depth understanding of the College’s operations, priorities and financial position.
Despite the significant external budgetary pressures facing the Further Education sector and the potential for financial shortfalls, Mr Byrne remains optimistic about the outlook for education and the important role colleges play in supporting their local communities and the wider economy.
With a strong background in finance and governance, Mr Byrne brings considerable knowledge and attention to detail in relation to budgets, financial planning and developing practical solutions to complex financial challenges.
He is keen to work collaboratively with colleagues across the College and the wider sector to ensure SRC is well positioned to meet the challenges ahead while continuing to deliver high-quality education and training for students and the local community.
While finance and governance undoubtedly play a key role in Mr Byrne’s remit, the position is much broader, encompassing responsibility for the College’s IT infrastructure, course scheduling systems, compliance and examination processes.
The Director of Finance and Planning also oversees the Business and Economic Engagement function, which works closely with local businesses and communities.
This is an important part of the College’s role and enables SRC to make a significant contribution to the economic development and regeneration of the local and wider region.
In summary, Mr Byrne views the role as being about making sure the College is financially sustainable, well governed and well planned, while providing the support needed to deliver the best possible outcomes for our students, staff and the wider community.
Having originally undertaken a degree in Property Investment and Development, Mr Byrne pivoted into a career in audit and finance following graduation.
Reflecting on his own career journey, and offering advice to new students starting out in their careers, as well as those considering returning to education to upskill or reskill, Mr Byrne said: “My advice to young people, and to anyone considering upskilling or reskilling, is to remember that there is no single path to a successful career.
“You don’t need to have everything figured out from the beginning, and it’s perfectly normal for your ambitions and priorities to change as you gain experience and your circumstances evolve.
“The most important thing is to be open to opportunities, invest in yourself and approach whatever you choose to do with commitment. You don’t have to have your whole career mapped out, but whatever path you take, give it your best, keep learning and take pride in doing things to the best of your ability.”
