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AboutUs - Who's Who - Permanent Secretary

David Orr CBE - Permanent Secretary

David Orr was appointed as the interim Permanent Secretary of the Department for Regional Development (DRD) in October 2011.








Role

The Permanent Secretary of the Department for Regional Development is the Minister's principal adviser across the full range of his Ministerial responsibilities.

In terms of the Department's corporate governance arrangements the Permanent Secretary acts as Head of Department and chair of the Departmental Board, as well as being the Accounting Officer.

Departmental Board

The Departmental Board exists to lead the Department's strategic planning and assist the Permanent Secretary in meeting corporate governance responsibilities for the Department.  

The Board provides corporate leadership to the organisation as a whole, takes ownership of the Department's performance, provides support for the Head of  Department and provides advice to the Minister.

The key aspects of the Board's role include:

  • taking forward the department's agreed strategic aims;
  • advising on the allocation of its financial and human resources to achieve those aims;
  • managing departmental resources and monitoring the achievement of performance objectives;
  • setting the Department's standards and values;
  • maintaining a transparent system of prudent and effective controls;
  • assessing and managing risk; and
  • leading and overseeing the process of change and encouraging innovation, to enhance the Department's capability to deliver.

Accounting Officer

As Accounting Officer, the Permanent Secretary is responsible for ensuring that:

  • the Departmental accounts are properly presented;
  • correct financial procedures are followed and accounting records maintained;
  • public funds are managed with propriety and duly safeguarded;
  • departmental assets are controlled and safeguarded;
  • all relevant financial considerations are taken into account, and brought to the Minister's attention, when considering policy proposals;
  • a sound system of internal control is maintained in the Department to support the achievement of its policies and objectives;
  • the impact of the Department's activities on others is properly identified and, where appropriate, taken into account; and
  • the Statement of Internal Control is accurate and appropriate.

Education

David was educated at Belfast Royal Academy and was awarded an honours degree in civil engineering from Queens University Belfast. He subsequently gained a Master of Science degree also from Queens.

Career History

Previously David has served as Corporate Services Director for the Department of Finance and Personnel, as Director of Central Procurement, and as Director of Network Services in Roads Service.

David was President of the Institution of Civil Engineers in 2007-08 and is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering. He was appointed a CBE in 2010.