Former Mid & East Antrim PSNI commander Gerry McGrath appointed trustee of RUC George Cross Foundation

Former District Commander for Mid and East Antrim, Superintendent Gerry McGrath, marking Emergency Services Day at The Braid in Ballymena.

Former Mid and East Antrim PSNI District Commander, Superintendent Gerry McGrath, has been appointed as a trustee of the RUC George Cross Foundation following his recent retirement from frontline policing.

The appointment forms part of a wider set of board confirmations announced today (14 January) by Justice Minister Naomi Long, who has also reappointed Stephen White OBE as Chair of the Foundation and confirmed the appointment of two further trustees.

Mr McGrath brings more than 30 years of public service to the role, including nearly three decades in uniformed policing across Northern Ireland.

His career has spanned service in Lisnevin Youth Custody Centre, the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, and the Royal Ulster Constabulary George Cross, before continuing with the Police Service of Northern Ireland following the transition to the PSNI.

During a distinguished policing career, Mr McGrath led the service’s strategic response to hate crime and anti-social behaviour and served as a highly experienced Bronze and Silver Public Order Commander.

He retired as the most senior and longest-serving Tactical Firearms Cadre Commander and was most recently commended for his leadership and direction of the PSNI’s immediate and subsequent multi-agency response to the disorder in Ballymena in June 2025.

He holds a BSc (Hons) in Community Youth Work, a PGCE, and an MSc in Leadership and Management, and currently serves as Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees of Newforge Athletic Association.

Ministerial announcement

Justice Minister Naomi Long with Stephen White OBE, reappointed as Chair of the RUC George Cross Foundation

The Justice Minister confirmed that Mr McGrath will join the RUC George Cross Foundation alongside Jonathan Henry MBE and Alistair McGowan, with Stephen White OBE continuing as Chair.

All appointments were made following an open competition regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments Northern Ireland and will run for a five-year term.

Announcing the appointments, Naomi Long said:

“I welcome the reappointment of Stephen as Chairperson and Jonathan, Alistair and Gerry as trustees to the RUC George Cross Foundation. I have no doubt that they will make an important contribution in supporting the Foundation in the delivery of its mandate.”

Role of the Foundation

The RUC George Cross Foundation was established under the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000 to mark the sacrifice and honour the achievements of the Royal Ulster Constabulary.

Following the devolution of policing and justice powers in April 2010, the Foundation became an executive non-departmental public body of the Department of Justice and is now accountable to the Justice Minister.

Its statutory remit allows it to both reflect on the long history of policing in Northern Ireland and to support professional development and innovation within modern policing. The Foundation also undertakes joint initiatives with stakeholder groups across the policing family and has responsibility for the Memorial Garden.

Board experience

Stephen White OBE, who continues as Chair, served across all ranks of the RUCGC and later the PSNI, retiring as an Assistant Chief Constable.

His career included senior leadership roles in police reform, international service in Iraq, and leading the EU Rule of Law Mission. He is currently a Commissioner with the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission.

Trustee Jonathan Henry MBE is a former Chief Superintendent with nearly 32 years’ service in the RUC GC and PSNI, while Alistair McGowan is a former Chief Executive of the Athletic Association and Newforge Community Development Trust and was awarded an MBE in 2022 for services to sport and reconciliation.

The Foundation’s Board comprises a Chair and five trustees, with two trustees nominated by the Chief Constable of the PSNI and the Chair of the Northern Ireland Policing Board. All roles are unpaid.