There has been a Head of the #NorthernIrelandCivilService (NICS) since #SirErnestClark was appointed the first holder of that office in 1921. As of 2017 and according to the #ExecutiveOffice, the Head of the 23,500-people strong NICS "has primary leadership responsibility for creating, developing and sustaining the NICS as an organisation which serves the devolved administration, the institutions of government and the people of Northern Ireland through the provision of high quality.