Sinead Simpson is set to be appointed as the new chief executive of the Policing Board.
The 51-year-old is expected to take up her new role next month.
Ms Simpson has more than 20 years experience working in the criminal justice sector and her appointment was approved at the Policing Board's September meeting.
She has previously worked as Director of Policy with the first Northern Ireland Policing Board from 2001 to 2007.
She has also served as chief operating officer at the Office of the Prisoner Ombudsman and was Advisor to the Consultative Group on the Past.
A mother of seven-year-old twins, in recent times she has worked within the Department of Justice on Organised Crime, Community Safety, Corporate Engagement and Communications.
Her father, Ignatius Fox, was a long-standing SDLP councillor and former mayor of Craigavon Borough Council. He died in 2009.
Policing Board chair Doug Garrett said welcomed the new appointment.
“I am delighted to confirm that Sinead Simpson has been appointed as the Policing Board’s new Chief Executive," he said.
"Sinead will be the board’s most senior advisor and responsible for leading a team of staff who support our work.
"The Board looks forward to working with Sinéad in the time ahead.”
Outgoing chief executive Amanda Stewart is expected to take up an equivalent role with the Probation Board.
