26 March 2004
APPOINTMENTS TO THE NORTHERN IRELAND HOUSING EXECUTIVE
The Department for Social Development today announced the appointments of Mr Brian Rowntree as Chairman and Mrs Anne Henderson as Vice-Chairman of the Board of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.
Mr Rowntree replaces Mr Sid McDowell CBE as Chairman of the Housing Executive Board. Mr McDowell will be stepping down from the post after 81/2 - years as Chairman when his term of office expires on 4 May 2004.
Mrs Henderson replaces Mr Jack Hood whose term of office as Vice-Chairman also expires on 4 May 2004.
The Minister with responsibility for Social Development, Mr Spellar, paid tribute to the outgoing Chairman and Vice-Chairman.
"Sid McDowell has made a tremendous contribution to social housing in Northern Ireland over many years, firstly through his membership of the Board of the Housing Executive and more recently as Chairman. Under Mr McDowell’s committed and skilled leadership, the Housing Executive has successfully navigated many changes and challenges, often operating in difficult circumstances, and he can take credit for many of the improvements that have been witnessed in social housing in Northern Ireland in recent years. In leading the Board he has been ably supported by his Vice-Chairman, Jack Hood, and I would also like to thank Mr Hood for his service and dedication over the past 111/2 years. The leadership team of Mr McDowell and Mr Hood has been characterised by integrity and, above all, a genuine desire to improve the conditions of many of the most vulnerable people in our community.
"I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome the new Chairman, Brian Rowntree, and Vice-Chairman, Anne Henderson, to their posts. The Housing Executive plays a critical role in contributing to economic and social wellbeing in Northern Ireland, and the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Board of the Executive are extremely important positions. I wish both Mr Rowntree and Mrs Henderson well in these challenging roles and look forward to working closely with them in the future to improve housing in Northern Ireland."
The appointments have been made in accordance with the Code of Practice issued by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- The Board of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive consists of ten persons appointed by the Department for Social Development of whom three are nominated by the Northern Ireland Housing Council.
- The Board is responsible to the Minister for the efficient, effective and economic delivery of the Housing Executive's housing services. It determines the Housing Executive's policies, within its overall aims and objectives, and makes decisions on operational and organisational strategies. The Chairman reports to the Minister on the organisation's achievement of its objectives and targets. A Chief Executive reports to the Board.
- The appointments were made in accordance with the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland’s Code of Practice. A selection panel, which included an independent assessor, as required under the Commissioner’s Code, considered the suitability of all candidates. The final decision on the appointment rested with the Minister.
- All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process.
- The Chairman receives £36,620 per annum and the Vice–Chairman £14,555 per annum in respect of their appointments.
Appointments
Chair
Mr Rowntree lives in Armagh and runs his own consultancy business. He is currently Chairman of the Probation Board of NI until November 2004 and receives £25,000 per annum for this post. He is also a non-executive director of Armagh & Dungannon HSS Trust, for which he receives £5,000 per annum, and a member of the District Policing Partnership, for which he receives £2,000 per annum.
He has not carried out any political activity in the past five years.
Vice – Chair
Mrs Henderson lives in Belfast and has a background in accountancy. She is a current Board member of the Housing Executive for which she receives £6,070 per annum.
She has not carried out any political activity in the past five years.
Click here to print this press release.
