Kennedy announces appointment of Non-Executive Directors to Northern Ireland Water

31 July 2015 14:29

Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy has announced the appointment of five Non-Executive Directors to the Board of Northern Ireland Water, which is responsible for the delivery of water and sewerage services in Northern Ireland.

The appointments take effect from 1 August 2015 for four years and will run to 31 July 2019.

The Minister has reappointed John Rae to the Board to serve a second term. He has been Non Executive Director of NI Water since August 2011. Trisha McAuley, Kingsley Donaldson, James McCall and Peter McNaney have all been appointed for a first term.

Minister Kennedy said: “I am very pleased to announce these appointments today. I am confident that the reappointed member with his professional experience in the water industry will continue to make a valuable contribution to the work of the NI Water Board. The new members will bring fresh perspectives and ideas. They have a wide range of experience including customer focus, strategic management and corporate governance.

"NI Water is of critical importance to public health and the environment. By 2020 a total of around £3 billion will have been invested by NI Water to reduce leakage levels, lower the threats of flooding and improve water and wastewater quality. I am sure that these appointments to the Board will help NI Water continue to operate to the highest standards."

The Minister also paid tribute to the outgoing Board Members Jim Stewart and Deep Sagar and Kevin Steele, saying: “I would also like to thank the outgoing Non-Executive Directors for the valuable contribution they have made to NI Water during their tenure.”

The appointments have been made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland Code of Practice.

Notes to editors:

1. NI Water is established as a government owned company (DRD is the sole shareholder). It operates under a Companies Act. The articles of association state that the Board shall consist of no more than 10 Directors including the Chair.

2. The Board currently has a membership of a Chair, five non Executive Directors and four Executive Members. The Non-Executive Directors currently receive remuneration of £18,000 per annum based on anticipated attendance of two days per month.

3. 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 five appointees have declared that they are not involved in any political activities.

4. Kingsley Donaldson has a background within the Ministry of Defence occupying senior posts in the British Army. He has considerable experience in capital works, programme management, finance, strategic management, leadership and human resources. He has no current public appointments.

5. Trisha McAuley OBE has a background and considerable experience in consumer issues in the fields of water and energy, including partnership working and corporate governance. She was the Scottish Director of Consumer Futures until 2014. She is currently a Board member of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and receives remuneration of £270.90 per day with a time commitment of 2 days per month; she is also a non Executive Director for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde she receives remuneration of £8,088 per annum.

6. James McCall has a professional background in social work and has worked within the private and public sectors in health and social care. He is currently an Adviser to Four Seasons Healthcare in Northern Ireland and Wales. He has experience and knowledge of strategic management, leadership and employee relations. He is currently a Board member of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and receives remuneration of £6,750 per annum, he is also a member of the Governing Body of Belfast Metropolitan College and he receives no remuneration for this position.

7. Peter McNaney was the Chief Executive of Belfast City Council from 2002-2014. He has experience in finance, strategic management and corporate governance from working within the public and local government sectors. He is a qualified solicitor and was Director of Legal Services for the Council 1994-2002. He is a past Chair of Belfast Metropolitan College. He is currently Chair of the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust and receives remuneration of £35,000 per annum and a member of Invest NI for which he receives remuneration of £11,750 per annum.

8. John Rae has served on NI Water since October 2011 and receives remuneration of £18,000 per annum. He is currently the Water Operations Director of Scottish Water; he has considerable professional experience within the Water Industry, including customer focus, project management, leadership and strategy. He is also a Board member for both Scottish Water Solutions and the Water Regulations Advisory Scheme; he receives no remuneration for these two positions.