News Release Page Title

4 February 2005

ILEX Chair To Retire

The Chairman of Ilex Urban Regeneration Company, Dr Alan McClure, is set to retire as Chairman and a Director of the Company on 30 June 2005.

This was announced today by Ministers, Ian Pearson, MP and John Spellar, MP, on behalf of the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister and Department for Social Development, the two Departments with responsibility for Ilex.

Both Ministers paid tribute to Dr McClure: "Dr McClure has consistently demonstrated his huge commitment and determination towards the regeneration of the North West. He played a very significant role in persuading the Government of the merits in establishing Ilex as the Urban Regeneration Company for the Derry City Council area. He has spearheaded the Company over the early stages of development and has set in place an important partnership arrangement, with the capabilities of making a significant contribution to the redevelopment of the city in the years ahead.

"By the stage of Dr McClure’s retirement, Ilex will have reached an important milestone in its development as an Urban Regeneration Company. Alan can reflect with pride on the establishment of the Company and in the assurance that Government remains committed to working in partnership with Ilex in tackling the challenges ahead."

They confirmed that the replacement of the Chairman of Ilex would be taken forward in the near future by way of a public appointments process.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

  1. Dr Alan McClure was appointed Chair-designate of Ilex in April 2003 and subsequently as Chairperson in July 2003 on the establishment of the Company.

  2. As part of the Reinvestment and Reform Initiative (RRI), government agreed to transfer to the Northern Ireland Executive some significant security assets including the Ebrington Barracks site in Londonderry. It was decided to take the regeneration of the site forward through the establishment of an Urban Regeneration Company (URC) in recognition that the regeneration benefits from the Ebrington site could only be maximised in the context of a comprehensive regeneration agenda for the Derry City Council area.

  3. Ilex URC was established under the Strategic Investment and Regeneration of Sites (NI) Order 2003 and was formally incorporated on 17 July 2003. The Company has been set up by the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister and the Department for Social Development to stimulate social and economic regeneration for the Derry City Council Area.

  4. Further information on Ilex can be accessed on the Ilex website at www.ilex-urc.com.

  5. Further information on the RRI can be accessed on the OFMDFM website at – www.ofmdfmni.gov.uk/rri.

  6. For any further information contact OFMDFM Press Office, tel. 028 9052 8629.

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