Professor Sir Desmond Rea, a native of the Donegall Road in Belfast, went on to be both a distinguished academic in the University of Ulster and one of Northern Ireland’s most influential and dedicated public servants. Having trained as an economist, Sir Desmond became the first Professor of Human Resource Management in the Ulster Business School based in Jordanstown.
Having served as a Board member of the Fair Employment Agency in its early years, Des, as he was always known, was appointed as Chairman of the Labour Relations Agency following his retirement from academia in 1995. It was in his role as the first Chairman of the Northern Ireland Policing Board that he came to greatest public attention. Together with Denis Bradley his vice-chairman, he steered a careful but determined course through the many potential political challenges to policing reform arising from the radical changes which followed the report of the Patten Commission.
In particular, Sir Des was widely recognised for his personal integrity, his personal modesty and his skills as a negotiator and diplomat. Between 2001 and 2010, Sir Des led the Board as it agreed a new name, symbols and oath for the police in Northern Ireland, oversaw the implementation of the politically controversial 50-50 recruitment mechanism and radical new mechanisms for ensuring human rights compliance in policing. During his time as Chairman of the Board, political representatives of Nationalism and Republicanism took an active role in the oversight of policing for the first time since 1920.
His unflagging commitment to the wellbeing of Northern Ireland were reflected in numerous other appointments in education, business, culture and faith, including periods as Chairman of the NI Council for Curriculum and Assessment, NI Local Government Staff Commission, Stranmillis College and the Ulster Orchestra. Outside of public view, he sought to support the development of the peace process as Chairman of the Jigsaw group and as a member of the Methodist Church’s Council for Social Responsibility.
In 2010, Ulster University conferred the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws (LLD) to Professor Sir Desmond Rea for services to policing in Northern Ireland.
In tribute, Professor Duncan Morrow, Director of Community Engagement at Ulster University said:
“Few people have made such a sustained contribution to public life in Northern Ireland as Sir Desmond Rea. Yet, it was never ‘about him’. His practical commitment to engaging all parties in finding a way forward through the most challenging of issues was unrivalled. And his ability to inspire trust and confidence in his integrity and intellect was highly unusual. His generosity in reaching out and his role as a mentor of students and colleagues have left a lasting impact on many. We at Ulster are deeply proud of his association with the University. His passing will be felt across the whole community.”
