ESA head Gavin Boyd rejoins exam body CCEA
The designate head of a proposed body to replace Northern Ireland's five education and library boards has returned to his old job as head of the exams board.
Gavin Boyd has rejoined the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) as interim chief executive, following the departure of Neil Anderson.
Mr Boyd will also continue to oversee plans to implement the Education and Skills Authority (ESA), a single body to replace the local education boards.
The body was due to start work on 1 January but its creation has yet to be approved by the Assembly.
It would replace four other bodies including CCEA and the CCMS, but the DUP is opposed to its creation because it is unhappy with the treatment of controlled schools, attended mostly by Protestant children.
The party has been at loggerheads with Sinn Fein Education Minister Caitriona Ruane, who says the reforms would save money and streamline bureaucracy.
Mr Boyd served as chief executive of CCEA before taking on his role at ESA.
CCEA Chairman David McKee said Mr Boyd's experience of the organisation and overseeing the summer exams season meant he was "very well-placed to provide stable leadership in ensuring the continued, effective delivery of services to students and teachers during this critical period".