Frances McCandless, former director of policy at the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA), has been confirmed as the first permanent chief executive of the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland (CCNI).

She will take up the post with the new regulator on Monday, taking over from interim chief executive Seamus Murray, who was seconded from the province's Department for Social Development.

McCandless (pictured) said: “The Charity Commission here has been long awaited and there is a lot to do, but I know that relationships between the Commission and voluntary and community organisations will be productive and supportive.

“I hope that my 20 years of experience in the sector, combined with that of the Commissioners, will strengthen those relationships and build an environment of public trust and confidence to enable charities to get on with doing their vital work in Northern Ireland.”

CCNI was officially established, and Commissioners appointed, in April of last year, since when a secretariat team from the Department for Social Development has been working to implement the provisions of the Charities Act (NI) 2008.

The Register of Charities for Northern Ireland is on course to be established this month, with Westminster having granted approval for the transfer of NI charities from the Inland Revenue to the new Commission.

In addition, CCNI will conduct an awareness-raising campaign over the next couple of months to communicate what will be expected of charities.