The Probation Board for Northern Ireland has appointed Cheryl Lamont as chief executive.

Ms Lamont, who has been acting director of PBNI for the past three years, will be the operational lead for the organisation and will manage the delivery of all probation services to communities throughout Northern Ireland.

Chairman Vilma Patterson stated: “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.”

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 re-offending and changing lives for safer communities across Northern Ireland.”

Ms Lamont 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.

She introduced the first approved programme for perpetrators of domestic violence in Northern Ireland and 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.

Her work with victims also shaped her contribution to the multi-agency Public Protection Arrangements NI which she led as Chair for 3 years.

Ms Lamont 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. I am also keen to work with other sectors that have an important impact on reducing offending and keeping communities safer.”