3 January 2000

APPOINTMENTS TO THE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT BOARD

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Sir Reg Empey, MLA, today confirmed the appointment of four new members to the Industrial Development Board.

The four new members are Mr Gilbert Little, Mr Eamon Fitzpatrick, Mrs Rotha Johnston and Mr John McGinnis.

Mr Little is founder, shareholder and non-executive chairman of a number of telecommunications software companies. He is an engineer (and barrister-at-law) with 28 years experience in international business. He does not hold any other public appointments.

Mr Fitzpatrick is Managing Director and Chairman of FM Systems Ltd, a very successful exports-led company. He has been much involved in local economic development and in mentoring start-up and growth companies in his area. He was a member of the Warrenpoint Harbour Authority until 1998.

Mrs Johnston is Business Development Director of Variety Foods (NI) Ltd, devising and implementing strategic growth plans for the business. She was previously Business Development Director with LEDU and Marketing Manager at Moygashel. She is currently a Board member of the Labour Relations Agency receiving annual remuneration of £4,100 and a member of the NI Economic Council for which she receives £3,995 per annum.

Mr McGinnis is Director of the McGinnis Group based in the North West. The group of companies spans construction, property and healthcare and has been built up over 22 years. He was a member of the Department of Economic Development Strategy Steering Group. He holds no other public appointments.

None of the appointees has carried out any significant political activity in the last five years.

Mr Little, Mr Fitzpatrick and Mrs Johnston have been appointed from 1 February 2000 and Mr McGinnis from 1 April 2000, each for a three year period.

 

NOTES TO EDITORS

The Industrial Development Board for Northern Ireland (IDB) was established under the Industrial Development (Northern Ireland) Order 1982 and is an executive arm of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI). It is responsible for assisting the establishment and growth of indigenous industry and for encouraging new inward investment to locate in Northern Ireland.

Board members receive an annual remuneration of £6,000.

The other Board members are Dr Alan Gillespie (Chairman), Ms Liz Goldberg, Ms Avila Kilmurray, Mr Martin Naughton, Mr Edward Miller, Mr Derek Shaw, Mr Edward Wilson, Mr Eamon McElroy and Mr Chris Gibson.