Web News Details
30/01/2012
New members appointed to Belfast Harbour Commissioners
Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy, announced the appointment and reappointment of Belfast Harbour Commissioners.
The Minister announced six new appointment and three re-appointments to the Belfast Harbour Commissioners. The appointments are for a four year period commencing on 01 February 2012.
The Minister said: “These new appointees bring a wealth of valuable experience and a wide range of skills to the work of the Belfast Harbour Commissioners. The ability and knowledge of the new board members will complement those Commissioners who are returning for a second term.”
The new Commissioners are: David Dobbin, Christine Hayes, Rotha Johnston, Stephen Kingon, Gerard O’Hare and Ed Vernon.
Danny Kennedy added: “The public competition to recruit new Commissioners attracted a very large pool of highly skilled candidates. I am grateful for all those who expressed an interest in serving the people of Northern Ireland in these important positions.”
The Minister also reappointed several Commissioners for a second, and final term. Those being reappointed are Noel Brady, Peter Dixon, and Trefor Campbell.
The Minister paid tribute to the outgoing board members and said: “I am very grateful for the hard work and commitment of those members who are stepping down. I wish them all well in their future endeavours.”
Those stepping down as Commissioners are: Peter Curistan, Ronnie Foreman, Mary McMahon, Steve Pollard, Samuel Ross Reed and David Russell.
The process of appointing these Commissioners was carried out by means of an open, public competition in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments NI (CPANI) Code of Practice.
The Minister today also announced the appointment of four Belfast City Councillors to the Belfast Harbour Commissioners. The Minister said: “I welcome the appointment of Alderman David Browne, Councillor Patrick Convery, Councillor Matt Garrett, and Councillor Thomas Haire to the Belfast Harbour Commissioners. I believe that they will make a valuable contribution to the work of the Commissioners, an important economic driver for Northern Ireland.”
Notes to editors:
1. The Belfast Harbour Commissioners have responsibility, under a series of Harbour Acts and Orders, for improving, maintaining and managing the Port. The constitution of the Commissioners was established under the Belfast Harbour Order (Northern Ireland) 2002. The Commissioners currently has a membership of a Chair and up to 14 members, including the serving Chief Executive, and four representatives from Belfast City Council. Commissioners currently receive remuneration of £10,150 per annum.
2. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process (except to the extent that District Councillor appointees must be serving Councillors). However, the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland requires the political activity of appointees to be published. All those appointed have confirmed that they have not undertaken any political activity within the last five years with the exception of the four members of Belfast City Council.
3. The appointment of the Chair of Belfast Harbour Commissioners was not considered under this process as it is not due to be considered until the end of 2014.
4. The Chief Executive of the Belfast Harbour Commissioners, Mr Roy Adair, retains his position as a Commissioner in an ex-officio capacity.
5. The new appointments are for a four year period. The appointments commence on 1 February 2012 reflecting the approval of the Commissioner for Public Appointments to extend the term of incumbent Harbour Commissioners by one month to enable this public appointment process to be completed.
6. Media queries to Department for Regional Development, Press Office, 028 9054 0007. Out of Office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
Pen pictures:
New Appointments
David Dobbin has extensive international business experience in the agri-food sector and is currently Group Chief Executive of United Dairy Farmers, a leading UK dairy cooperative based in Northern Ireland. He is actively involved in promoting regional economic development and is a board member of Invest NI (which is remunerated at £12,000 per annum) and Chairman of the Strategic Investment Board (which is remunerated at £16,000 per annum). He has previously held a number of public and industry appointments including Chairman of InterTradeIreland, Chairman of CBI Northern Ireland and President of the Northern Ireland Grain Trade.
Rotha Johnston is a partner in Johnston Partnership, a property investment company. In the past she has been Deputy Chairman of Invest NI and a Director of Variety Foods. She is also a non executive director and member of the audit committee at Allied Irish Bank (UK). In 2011 she was appointed as non executive director and Chair of the Audit Committee at NIE. She is an independent board member for the Department of Justice for which she receives remuneration of £500 per day. She is currently a BBC Trustee.
Stephen Kingon is the Principal at Stephen Kingon Associates. He is a non executive director at Allied Irish Bank UK Ltd and is currently Chairman of Northern Ireland Electricity Ltd and among other positions is a non executive director with Mivan Ltd. Mr Kingon is also Chairman of SOS Bus Ltd an organisation dedicated to partnering stakeholders who are interested in making society a better and safer place. He recently finished a second term as Chair of Invest NI. At present he holds no other public appointments.
Ed Vernon is a Strategic Advisor to BT Ireland. In addition he is a Foundation Board Trustee of Queen’s University. Since 2007 he has been Chairman of McIldowie Ltd, a specialist recruitment agency in the East Midlands of England. From February 2011 he has been Asset Advisor to the Northern Ireland Executive. Mr Vernon is also a board member with Invest NI which is remunerated at £12,000 per annum. He is a member of the remunerations committee with Invest NI.
Christine Hayes is currently studying with the Open University for a Bachelor of Arts. In the past she has worked as a self employed consultant specialising in business coaching and mentoring, facilitation and senior management development for a number of incorporated business entities. Ms Hayes has also worked in the Finance and Banking industry with Egg, then part of Prudential plc, as Risk Director and prior to that with TSB Group as Director of Credit Management.
At present she holds no other public appointments.
Gerard O’Hare is currently Group Chairman and Managing Director of ParkerGreen International an established private property development and investment company, with Irish Head Offices in Newry and satellite offices in Central & Eastern Europe and the USA. Dr O'Hare was previously a board member of InterTrade Ireland. He is a visiting professor at the University of Ulster, School of the Built Environment and Harvard Graduate School of Design in the USA and has just been appointed as Deputy Lieutenant of Co Down. He holds no other public appointments.
Re-appointments
Noel Brady was appointed to the Board in 2008. He is Managing Director of Consult Nb1 Limited, a business development consultancy which he founded in 2004 that provides executive support services to international and national clients. Following an early career in the Northern Ireland Civil Service, he held key senior management positions with CFM Group Ltd, ICL and Sx3, providing over 36 years experience of working in both the public and private sectors. He was recently appointed as Chairman of the Corporate Fund Raising Committee of the Simon Community in Northern Ireland. During 2010, he was a member of the Corporate Governance & Audit Committee and the Commercial Projects Committee. Mr Brady holds no other public appointments.
Trefor Campbell was first appointed to the Belfast Harbour Commissioners in 2008. Dr Campbell was formerly Managing Director and non Executive Chairman of Moy Park Ltd. He is Patron and NI Council Member of the Prince’s Trust, Companion of the Chartered Management Institute, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Agriculture, a Fellow of the Royal Society for Arts & Commerce and a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Poulters. During 2010, Dr Campbell was Chairman of the Belfast Harbour Pension Fund Ltd, a member of the Corporate Governance & Audit Committee and a member of the Property Committee. Dr Campbell holds no other public appointments.
Peter Dixon was first appointed to the Belfast Harbour Commissioners in 2008. With a career spent within the gas industry, he is currently Group Chief Executive of Phoenix Energy Holdings Limited. He is a past Chairman of the Irish Section of IGEM. Mr Dixon holds a number of Board positions within the Holding Group. He is also Chairman of the Energy for Children Charitable Trust, a Board Member of Business in the Community, Chairman of Arena Network a Board member of The National Trust in Northern Ireland, and a member of the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust. He is also a Lord Taverner and Board member of Men against Cancer. During 2010, he was a member of the Harbour Commissioners Corporate Governance & Audit Committee and the Commercial Projects Committee. Mr Dixon holds no other public appointments.
Alderman David Browne (Ulster Unionist Party) was elected as Councillor to represent the Castle Electoral Area in May 1993. He was elected to NI Forum for Belfast North in May 1996. Alderman Browne was re-elected as Councillor to represent the Castle Electoral Area in May 1997, June 2001, May 2005 and May 2011. He was appointed High Sheriff in January 2005, elected Deputy Lord Mayor in June 2008 and designated Alderman at Annual Meeting of Council in May 2011.
Councillor Patrick Convery (Social and Democratic Labour Party) was elected as Councillor to represent the Castle Area - June 2001, May 2005 and May 2011. He was Elected Deputy Lord Mayor in May 2005 and Lord Mayor in June 2010.
Councillor Matt Garrett (Sinn Féin) was nominated as Councillor for Upper Falls Area – December 2010 (replaced Michael Browne in December 2010) and elected in May 2011.
Councillor Thomas Haire (Democratic Unionist Party) was elected as Councillor to represent the Victoria Electoral Area in May 2011.
The Minister announced six new appointment and three re-appointments to the Belfast Harbour Commissioners. The appointments are for a four year period commencing on 01 February 2012.
The Minister said: “These new appointees bring a wealth of valuable experience and a wide range of skills to the work of the Belfast Harbour Commissioners. The ability and knowledge of the new board members will complement those Commissioners who are returning for a second term.”
The new Commissioners are: David Dobbin, Christine Hayes, Rotha Johnston, Stephen Kingon, Gerard O’Hare and Ed Vernon.
Danny Kennedy added: “The public competition to recruit new Commissioners attracted a very large pool of highly skilled candidates. I am grateful for all those who expressed an interest in serving the people of Northern Ireland in these important positions.”
The Minister also reappointed several Commissioners for a second, and final term. Those being reappointed are Noel Brady, Peter Dixon, and Trefor Campbell.
The Minister paid tribute to the outgoing board members and said: “I am very grateful for the hard work and commitment of those members who are stepping down. I wish them all well in their future endeavours.”
Those stepping down as Commissioners are: Peter Curistan, Ronnie Foreman, Mary McMahon, Steve Pollard, Samuel Ross Reed and David Russell.
The process of appointing these Commissioners was carried out by means of an open, public competition in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments NI (CPANI) Code of Practice.
The Minister today also announced the appointment of four Belfast City Councillors to the Belfast Harbour Commissioners. The Minister said: “I welcome the appointment of Alderman David Browne, Councillor Patrick Convery, Councillor Matt Garrett, and Councillor Thomas Haire to the Belfast Harbour Commissioners. I believe that they will make a valuable contribution to the work of the Commissioners, an important economic driver for Northern Ireland.”
Notes to editors:
1. The Belfast Harbour Commissioners have responsibility, under a series of Harbour Acts and Orders, for improving, maintaining and managing the Port. The constitution of the Commissioners was established under the Belfast Harbour Order (Northern Ireland) 2002. The Commissioners currently has a membership of a Chair and up to 14 members, including the serving Chief Executive, and four representatives from Belfast City Council. Commissioners currently receive remuneration of £10,150 per annum.
2. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process (except to the extent that District Councillor appointees must be serving Councillors). However, the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland requires the political activity of appointees to be published. All those appointed have confirmed that they have not undertaken any political activity within the last five years with the exception of the four members of Belfast City Council.
3. The appointment of the Chair of Belfast Harbour Commissioners was not considered under this process as it is not due to be considered until the end of 2014.
4. The Chief Executive of the Belfast Harbour Commissioners, Mr Roy Adair, retains his position as a Commissioner in an ex-officio capacity.
5. The new appointments are for a four year period. The appointments commence on 1 February 2012 reflecting the approval of the Commissioner for Public Appointments to extend the term of incumbent Harbour Commissioners by one month to enable this public appointment process to be completed.
6. Media queries to Department for Regional Development, Press Office, 028 9054 0007. Out of Office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
Pen pictures:
New Appointments
David Dobbin has extensive international business experience in the agri-food sector and is currently Group Chief Executive of United Dairy Farmers, a leading UK dairy cooperative based in Northern Ireland. He is actively involved in promoting regional economic development and is a board member of Invest NI (which is remunerated at £12,000 per annum) and Chairman of the Strategic Investment Board (which is remunerated at £16,000 per annum). He has previously held a number of public and industry appointments including Chairman of InterTradeIreland, Chairman of CBI Northern Ireland and President of the Northern Ireland Grain Trade.
Rotha Johnston is a partner in Johnston Partnership, a property investment company. In the past she has been Deputy Chairman of Invest NI and a Director of Variety Foods. She is also a non executive director and member of the audit committee at Allied Irish Bank (UK). In 2011 she was appointed as non executive director and Chair of the Audit Committee at NIE. She is an independent board member for the Department of Justice for which she receives remuneration of £500 per day. She is currently a BBC Trustee.
Stephen Kingon is the Principal at Stephen Kingon Associates. He is a non executive director at Allied Irish Bank UK Ltd and is currently Chairman of Northern Ireland Electricity Ltd and among other positions is a non executive director with Mivan Ltd. Mr Kingon is also Chairman of SOS Bus Ltd an organisation dedicated to partnering stakeholders who are interested in making society a better and safer place. He recently finished a second term as Chair of Invest NI. At present he holds no other public appointments.
Ed Vernon is a Strategic Advisor to BT Ireland. In addition he is a Foundation Board Trustee of Queen’s University. Since 2007 he has been Chairman of McIldowie Ltd, a specialist recruitment agency in the East Midlands of England. From February 2011 he has been Asset Advisor to the Northern Ireland Executive. Mr Vernon is also a board member with Invest NI which is remunerated at £12,000 per annum. He is a member of the remunerations committee with Invest NI.
Christine Hayes is currently studying with the Open University for a Bachelor of Arts. In the past she has worked as a self employed consultant specialising in business coaching and mentoring, facilitation and senior management development for a number of incorporated business entities. Ms Hayes has also worked in the Finance and Banking industry with Egg, then part of Prudential plc, as Risk Director and prior to that with TSB Group as Director of Credit Management.
At present she holds no other public appointments.
Gerard O’Hare is currently Group Chairman and Managing Director of ParkerGreen International an established private property development and investment company, with Irish Head Offices in Newry and satellite offices in Central & Eastern Europe and the USA. Dr O'Hare was previously a board member of InterTrade Ireland. He is a visiting professor at the University of Ulster, School of the Built Environment and Harvard Graduate School of Design in the USA and has just been appointed as Deputy Lieutenant of Co Down. He holds no other public appointments.
Re-appointments
Noel Brady was appointed to the Board in 2008. He is Managing Director of Consult Nb1 Limited, a business development consultancy which he founded in 2004 that provides executive support services to international and national clients. Following an early career in the Northern Ireland Civil Service, he held key senior management positions with CFM Group Ltd, ICL and Sx3, providing over 36 years experience of working in both the public and private sectors. He was recently appointed as Chairman of the Corporate Fund Raising Committee of the Simon Community in Northern Ireland. During 2010, he was a member of the Corporate Governance & Audit Committee and the Commercial Projects Committee. Mr Brady holds no other public appointments.
Trefor Campbell was first appointed to the Belfast Harbour Commissioners in 2008. Dr Campbell was formerly Managing Director and non Executive Chairman of Moy Park Ltd. He is Patron and NI Council Member of the Prince’s Trust, Companion of the Chartered Management Institute, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Agriculture, a Fellow of the Royal Society for Arts & Commerce and a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Poulters. During 2010, Dr Campbell was Chairman of the Belfast Harbour Pension Fund Ltd, a member of the Corporate Governance & Audit Committee and a member of the Property Committee. Dr Campbell holds no other public appointments.
Peter Dixon was first appointed to the Belfast Harbour Commissioners in 2008. With a career spent within the gas industry, he is currently Group Chief Executive of Phoenix Energy Holdings Limited. He is a past Chairman of the Irish Section of IGEM. Mr Dixon holds a number of Board positions within the Holding Group. He is also Chairman of the Energy for Children Charitable Trust, a Board Member of Business in the Community, Chairman of Arena Network a Board member of The National Trust in Northern Ireland, and a member of the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust. He is also a Lord Taverner and Board member of Men against Cancer. During 2010, he was a member of the Harbour Commissioners Corporate Governance & Audit Committee and the Commercial Projects Committee. Mr Dixon holds no other public appointments.
Alderman David Browne (Ulster Unionist Party) was elected as Councillor to represent the Castle Electoral Area in May 1993. He was elected to NI Forum for Belfast North in May 1996. Alderman Browne was re-elected as Councillor to represent the Castle Electoral Area in May 1997, June 2001, May 2005 and May 2011. He was appointed High Sheriff in January 2005, elected Deputy Lord Mayor in June 2008 and designated Alderman at Annual Meeting of Council in May 2011.
Councillor Patrick Convery (Social and Democratic Labour Party) was elected as Councillor to represent the Castle Area - June 2001, May 2005 and May 2011. He was Elected Deputy Lord Mayor in May 2005 and Lord Mayor in June 2010.
Councillor Matt Garrett (Sinn Féin) was nominated as Councillor for Upper Falls Area – December 2010 (replaced Michael Browne in December 2010) and elected in May 2011.
Councillor Thomas Haire (Democratic Unionist Party) was elected as Councillor to represent the Victoria Electoral Area in May 2011.
Story by Information Office
