Tag: Northern Ireland Office

The Secretary of State, the Rt Hon Chris Heaton-Harris MP, has today announced the appointment of Gordon Milligan OBE as the new Chair of National Museums Northern Ireland. In addition, seven new Board Members have been appointed:

• Keith Charlton
• Ryan Cornett
• Sally Montgomery OBE
• Peter Osborne
• Therese Rafferty
• Fiona Ryan
• Mark Walker

In the absence of Ministers in the Northern Ireland Executive, these appointments have been made under the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2022.

All eight individuals took up their roles on 1 October 2023. They bring a range of skills and attributes to the Board, with backgrounds covering areas such as: leadership; delivering results; governance and accountability; collaborative working; commercial management; and financial management. This experience will strengthen the Board, allowing it to champion and advance the work of National Museums Northern Ireland.

Biographies

Gordon Milligan OBE

Mr Milligan had served as an Executive at Translink where his responsibilities have included transformational change and leadership across corporate teams. Having served a period as Interim Chief Executive he was appointed Deputy Chief Executive in 2015. His experience includes leadership roles within large Global and National organisations including Bombardier Aerospace, Nortel Networks and Dubia Agrifood. He has served as an Executive member on both private and public sector boards. He has Non-Executive board experience and is currently Chair of the Institute of Directors in Northern Ireland, Chair of the Labour Relations Agency and is a visiting professor at the Ulster University Business School. Gordon was awarded the OBE in the 2023 New Year Honours for serve to Business and Human Resources Management in Northern Ireland. He has an MBA, is a Fellow of the Institute of Directors and is a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Personnel and Development.

Keith Charlton

Mr Charlton has a wide range of experience in the private sector across the retail, manufacturing, tourism and leisure industries. As an entrepreneur, he co-founded award-winning Belfast based tourism business Bunk Campers and the ecommerce leisure retailer Camperco. As Group Managing Director, he was responsible for leading and developing group strategy and overseeing all commercial aspects of the business. He has European board level risk management and corporate governance experience and purchasing, sales and marketing expertise from various industry roles. He does not currently hold any other public appointments

Ryan Cornett

Mr Cornett has several years’ experience managing investment portfolios for a broad range of clients including private individuals, trusts, charities and corporate entities. He is on the board of a local charity, the John Hewitt Society, which provides opportunities for individuals across Northern Ireland to explore issues of difference and identity through literature and creative writing. He does not currently hold any other public appointments.

Sally Montgomery OBE

Dr Montgomery OBE is a trained educator and was formerly Head of Education at the Ulster Museum, Project Director and founding CEO of W5. At W5 she used her experience of exhibition management, including communication and marketing plans. As a Director of the Titanic Foundation, she was successfully involved in securing funds for heritage assets. She has held a number of Board and advisory positions and is currently a member of the Historic Monuments Council (unremunerated).

Peter Osborne

Mr Osborne has run his own business within the private sector, and held executive and non-executive roles with organisations that have managed significant capital and revenue expenditure, and managed relationships and major change. He currently sits as an Independent Member on the Northern Ireland Policing Board, as well as its Audit & Risk Assurance Committee.

Therese Rafferty

Ms Rafferty is a graduate of Queen’s University, the University of Ulster, and an alumnus of Boston College, Massachusetts, Therese has held senior roles over a career of 35 years in higher education and local government, the most recent being Head of Regeneration in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council. Her experience includes the delivery of a wide portfolio of capital development programmes and environmental initiatives, financial and corporate planning, performance and risk management, and corporate governance. Therese is a previous member of the Programming Committee for the FE McWilliam Gallery and Studio in Banbridge and oversaw its construction and accreditation. She has held a number of previous Board positions and is currently a Board member of the Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute.

Fiona Ryan

Ms Ryan is the Commissioner for Survivors of Institutional Childhood Abuse. Her previous leadership roles include Chief Executive in the areas of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence and public health advocacy. She was appointed by the Irish Department of Justice to the monitoring committee of successive national Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Strategies. Her early career was spent in media as a journalist and External Affairs. She has worked in Belfast, Dublin and at European level. She has a Masters in Business Administration.

Mark Walker

Mr Walker has gained extensive financial and strategic management knowledge and experience as a senior manager in banking with Danske Bank and as Group Finance Director at Randox Laboratories, an international private sector biotech organisation. His experience is underpinned by knowledge and understanding of corporate finance and strategic and financial management. He is a Board Member of NIACRO, Thrive Audience Development and is an independent member of Clanmil Housing Association Audit & Risk Committee. He does not currently hold any other public appointments.

Details of body

National Museums Northern Ireland is the corporate name of the Board of Trustees of the National Museums and Galleries of NI, established under the Museums and Galleries (NI) Order 1998. It is a Non-Departmental Public Body sponsored by the Department for Communities (DfC).

It is made up of four museums – the Ulster Museum, the Ulster Folk Museum, the Ulster Transport Museum and the Ulster American Folk Park – and serves as custodian for 1.4 million objects in Northern Ireland’s national collection. Its main statutory functions are to care for, preserve and add to the objects in its collections, interpret and exhibit them to the public, and to promote the awareness, appreciation and understanding by the public of art, history and science, the culture and way of life of people and the migration and settlement of people.

Terms Of Appointment

• The Chair position attracts remuneration of £10,000 per annum with a time commitment of at least 36 days per year.
• Member positions are not remunerated. The time commitment is approximately one day per month.  but reasonable expenses (including travel, subsistence and other reasonable expenses in line with NICS rates) are paid with a time commitment of one day per month.
• All Board positions receive reasonable expenses (including travel, subsistence and other reasonable expenses in line with NICS rates) and are for a term of up to four years.

Regulation

These appointments have been made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland (CPANI) Code of Practice.

Political Activity

All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland requires the political activity of appointees to be published. All eight appointees have not declared any political activity in the last five years.

Joseph Stewart has been appointed to the position of Chairperson. The five new members are John Hood, David Mark, Sean McKeever, David Torrens and Elaine Willis.  In the absence of Ministers in the Northern Ireland Executive, these appointments were made under the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2022.

The new Chair took up the role on Monday 4 September 2023.

The appointment of the five new members is effective from Monday 23 October 2023.

Biography of appointees

Mr Joseph M Stewart OBE, LLB, JP, is retired and brings significant experience from the private and public sector, having held positions in the Engineering Employers Federation, Harland & Wolff, Police Authority (NI) and PSNI (in a non-police role).   Joseph has served as an LMC Board Member since 2021 and is a Non-Executive Director of the Public Health Agency. He also serves as Council Member of the Suffolk Sheep Society Ltd. Joseph was awarded an OBE for Public Service in 1994.

Mr John Hood has over 23 years in-depth experience in investment, marketing and economic development. For the last 10 years he was the Director of the Food and Drink Division at Invest NI where he delivered significant growth across the food and drink sector.

Mr David Mark has extensive experience across the agri-food sector. Throughout his career he has worked directly with producers and major customers on agricultural technical areas. He previously served on the Northern Ireland Food Advisory Committee of the Food Standards Agency and is Chair of the Trade Exhibits Committee in the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society (RUAS).

Mr Sean McKeever is a Chartered Accountant and has substantial strategy, finance and governance experience within Health and Personal Social Services and NHS organisations. He currently serves as a non-executive director, and chair of the Governance and Audit Committee, of the Business Services Organisation. He also brings on farm experience as a producer of beef.

Mr David Torrens is a recently retired vet who has an in-depth knowledge of the agriculture sector through his role as Director of DAERA’s Veterinary Service Animal Health Group.  He currently serves as the Northern Ireland representative on the British Veterinary Association’s Policy Committee. He has extensive experience in the public sector, including in corporate governance and financial and risk management.

Mrs Elaine Willis is a Retail Operations Director and brings significant experience in the Agri-Food Processing Industry, including New Product Development, Business Development and Sales and Marketing. Elaine represents the red meat processing sector on the College of Agriculture Farming and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) Advisory Group.

Details of body

The LMC is an Executive Non-Departmental Public Body, sponsored by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).  The main duty of the LMC is to examine and recommend improvements in the marketing of livestock and livestock products.

Terms of Chair Appointment

• The Chair role requires approximately 48 days per annum.
• The Chair appointment to the LMC is for a three-year term.
• The Chairperson post is remunerated at £17,315 per annum.

Terms of Member Appointment

• The member role requires approximately 30 days per annum.
• The member appointment to the LMC is for a three-year term.
• The member post is remunerated at £6,485 per annum.

Regulation

The appointments are made in accordance with the Livestock and Meat Commission Act (Northern Ireland) 1967 and the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland (CPANI) Code of Practice.

Political Activity

All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland requires the political activity of appointees to be published. None of the candidates have declared any political activity in the last five years.

Notes to editors

1. The LMC was added by Statutory Instrument to the Northern Ireland Executive Formation Act 2022 on 10 July 2023.
2. Media queries should be directed to the DAERA Press Office: pressoffice.group@daera-ni.gov.uk or phone 02890 524619.
3. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland invites applications for the appointment of chair and five new members to the Parades Commission for Northern Ireland.

The appointment of the Chair and four of the Commissioners will be made with effect from 1 January 2024 and a further appointment will be made with effect from 1 April 2024.

Further details of the positions and application pack can be found at:

https://apply-for-public-appointment.service.gov.uk/roles

Alternatively, the application can be obtained by email to PCNI2023@nio.gov.uk. This information can be made available, on request, in other formats.

The closing date for applications is 29 October 2023. Completed applications should be sent by email to: PCNI2023@nio.gov.uk.

Equality of Opportunity

Appointments will be made on merit and with regard to the equality provisions set out in Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. We encourage applications from all sections of the community.

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has determined under section 40(4) of the Inquiries Act 2005 (“the Act”) that the power of the Chair of the Omagh Bombing Inquiry (“the Inquiry”) to award amounts in respect of legal representation under section 40(1) and (2) of the Act to persons eligible for an award under section 40(3) shall be subject to the qualifications and conditions set out below.

The qualifications and conditions are:

Given the exceptional nature and gravity of the Omagh bombing, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland recognises that it will be in the public interest for certain applicants to be provided with funding for legal representation, without investigation as to the financial resources otherwise available to them.

Accordingly, Rule 21 of the Inquiry Rules 2006 is qualified to the extent that the general criteria in Rule 21(2)(a) (financial resources) is satisfied without further enquiry as to means.

The Chair shall only make an award relating to a person’s costs of legal representation (which includes the legal costs referred to at paragraph 2.5 below) where he considers it necessary, fair, reasonable and proportionate to make an award.

An award shall be subject to the condition that payment will only be made for work that is properly evidenced, directly related to the work of the Inquiry as determined by any costs protocol issued by the Chair, and can be identified as having been done in an efficient and effective manner, avoiding unnecessary duplication and making the best use of public funds.

Expenditure incurred by an applicant in respect of legal representation before an award is made by a Chair shall not be recoverable except in respect of any reasonable and proportionate costs incurred responding to the Inquiry’s consultation on the terms of reference prior to the setting up date of the Inquiry, and any such prior expenditure shall be recoverable only in accordance with the rates expressed in paragraph 3 below.

An award shall be made only in respect of legal work undertaken by an applicant’s legal representative whom the Chair has designated under either Rule 6 or Rule 7 of the Inquiry Rules 2006 to be that person’s recognised legal representative in relation to the Inquiry.

The Chair shall approve the size and composition of any legal team to be engaged by an applicant’s recognised legal representative including the number and seniority of counsel whose retention he agrees to be necessary.

In determining whether to make an award the Chair shall specify the broad areas of work that are to be covered by the award and the hourly rates applicable to all members of the applicant’s approved legal team subject to the maximum hourly rates specified at paragraph 3 below.

Having regard to the inquisitorial nature of the Inquiry, an award shall not be made in respect of investigative work undertaken by an applicant’s recognised legal representative or in relation to obtaining an expert’s report, save in exceptional circumstances.

An award shall limit the maximum number of hours that can be charged by any member of a legal team in connection with Inquiry work to 40 hours per week save that exceptionally, the Solicitor to the Inquiry may authorise an increase to a maximum of 60 hours during the eight-week period immediately preceding the commencement of the oral hearings and during the oral hearings where they are satisfied that such increase is justified in all the circumstances. For the purposes of this paragraph a week shall be taken to commence on a Monday and end on the following Sunday, and no unused hours below the maximum in any one week may be set-off against any other week.

The maximum hourly rates for legal work by the members of an applicant’s legal team shall be:

Leading Counsel

Whether a member of the Bar or a Solicitor acting in the role of advocate – £180.00 plus VAT

Junior Counsel

Whether a member of the Bar or a Solicitor acting in the role of advocate – £110.00 plus VAT

Solicitors

• Solicitors with over 7 years post qualification experience – £120.00 plus VAT
• Solicitor Partner – £150.00 per hour
• Assistant Solicitor – £130.00 per hour
• Trainee Solicitor or Paralegal – £60.00 per hour

The maximum hourly rates for travel and waiting time by the members of an applicant’s legal team shall be half of the applicable maximum hourly rate relating to legal work specified in paragraph 3.

English language students worldwide will learn about the journey to the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement and its contribution to peace and prosperity in Northern Ireland, thanks to a new teaching resource developed as part of the Northern Ireland Office’s (NIO) programme to mark the Agreement’s 25th anniversary.

The NIO, together with the British Council, have today (Friday, 22 September) launched the new resource, named “25 Years On: Marking the 25th Anniversary of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement,” in Colombia.

British Ambassador to Colombia, George Hodgson, was one of the first to witness international students use the new resource as he joined a British Council English language class in the city of Bogota. The Ambassador enjoyed participating in an   English lesson with students who were learning more about the history of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement, how the peace process was achieved between the UK and Irish Governments and the parties in Northern Ireland, and the role of positive language in conflict resolution more widely.

The resource is part of the NIO’s programme to mark the 25th anniversary of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement. This new teaching English resource, which is suitable for both beginner and intermediate learners, has been adapted by the British Council from a suite of educational resources produced by The National Archives for pupils across the UK.

The resource will be available globally through the British Council’s online Teaching English network, which currently reaches over six million learners in 238 countries. It will also be used in the British Council’s English language Teaching Centres, which welcomes more than 400,000 learners in over 100 countries every year.

Commenting on the resource, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton-Harris stated:

“It’s marvellous that language students around the world will learn English while also studying the history of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement.

“The Agreement is a globally respected example of conflict resolution which represents a great landmark achievement in the history of Northern Ireland, the wider United Kingdom, and Ireland.

“It’s absolutely right that this teaching resource marks the Agreement around the globe in its 25th anniversary year.”

Jonathan Stewart, Director, British Council Northern Ireland said:

“I am delighted to announce the launch of our new Teaching English resource in partnership with the Northern Ireland Office.

“This milestone resource commemorates the historic Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement in its 25th year and encourages English language learners to find out more about the Agreement through lessons which teach the language of negotiation and compromise in conflict resolution.

“At the British Council, English language teaching is at the heart of what we do, and we hope through this new resource that learners from around the world will not only enhance their English language skills but also gain a deeper understanding of the history and significance of the Northern Ireland peace process.

“As it becomes available globally through our Teaching English network, we aim to reach thousands of learners, fostering a deeper understanding of the importance of diplomacy, dialogue, and reconciliation.”

British Ambassador to Colombia George Hodgson said:

“The Belfast Good Friday Agreement, signed 25 years ago, marked an end to decades of violence – a message of peace and progress around the world. In Colombia – a country which reached its own landmark peace agreement in 2016 – the parallels are particularly striking. I’m delighted that students learning English here – the first generation of young people since the peace deal was signed – will be able to learn about Northern Ireland and our shared experiences.”

The resource is now available on the British Council’s Teaching English website. To access the teaching materials and find out more, please visit: https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/belfast-good-friday-peace-agreement-classroom-resources

The British Council supports 100 million English learners worldwide with online resources and connects with more than four million teachers and educators online each year – the world’s largest global network of teachers.

“The legacy of the Troubles in Northern Ireland has always been one of the key issues left unaddressed since the signing of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement.

“Yesterday’s Royal Assent of the Northern Ireland (Troubles & Reconciliation) Act marks a significant milestone as the Government aims to deliver on our pledge to deliver better outcomes for those most affected by the Troubles, while helping society to look forward.

“I recognise getting to this juncture has been a hugely difficult task for all. The legislation contains finely balanced political and moral choices.

“It presents us all with a real opportunity to deliver greater information, accountability and acknowledgement to victims and families, moving away from established mechanisms that have left far too many empty-handed.  I am confident that this Act provides a framework to enable the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) that it establishes to deliver effective legacy mechanisms, while complying with our international obligations.

“The delivery of those mechanisms will be led by Sir Declan Morgan KC as Chief Commissioner, who will be supported by Peter Sheridan as Commissioner for Investigations. I know Sir Declan and his team of Commissioners will approach the task with the rigour, integrity, and professionalism required.

“If we are truly to provide greater information, accountability and acknowledgement to victims and families of the Troubles and help society to move forward in the spirit of reconciliation, we must build a legacy process founded on integrity, expertise and fairness.

“Now that the legislation has become law, the UK Government will do all it can to support the ICRIR, consistent with its operational independence, as it establishes itself and seeks to deliver effectively for victims and families. I hope that others, including the Irish Government, can do the same.”

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the Right Honourable Chris Heaton-Harris MP, has accepted the recommendation for Peter Sheridan to be confirmed Commissioner for Investigations designate of the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR).

Confirming the announcement, Mr Heaton-Harris said:

“I am pleased to confirm Peter Sheridan as Commissioner for Investigations designate, following an independent recommendation from Sir Declan Morgan and his panel.

“Peter brings a wealth of senior investigative experience and I am confident he can utilise these skills to help victims of the Troubles and their families find the answers they deserve.”

The formal appointment of Mr Sheridan will only take place following the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill receiving Royal Assent and establishment of the ICRIR.

The appointment process followed a fair and open competition against criteria that were set out to Parliament.

Notes to editor

The Secretary of State accepted the recommendation from an independent panel chaired by Sir Declan Morgan, ICRIR Chief Commissioner Designate. The independent selection panel membership included:

Robert Beckley, QPM – a former Deputy Chief Constable and currently Assistant Commissioner;

Wendy Williams, CBE – His Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary and author of the independent Lessons Learned Review into the Home Office and its handling of events leading up to the Windrush scandal; and

David Porter – the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Chief of Staff from 2016 to 2022, having previously served as the Archbishop’s advisor on Reconciliation.

The Commissioner for Investigations, will have the full powers and privileges of a constable and will have responsibility for the ICRIR’s review functions into Troubles-related deaths and other harmful conduct.

The Commissioner for Investigations will be responsible for supervision of reviews, deciding if there should be a criminal investigation, issuing notices requiring information to be provided to the ICRIR and the referral of conduct to prosecutors if there is sufficient evidence that the conduct constitutes an offence.

The ICRIR is being established as a non-departmental public body that will operate independently of the government.