New Chairman for Northern Ireland Screen

Arts and Culture Minister Gregory Campbell has announced the appointment of a new Chair to the Northern Ireland Screen Commission.

Following open competition and with effect from 1 January 2009 for a period of four years, Richard (Rick) Hill has been appointed as Chair to the Commission. Mr Hill was initially appointed as vice-chair and has been acting chair on an interim basis since 1 January 2008.

Welcoming the appointment, Minister Campbell said: “An enormous amount of progress has been made over recent years to develop the screen industry in Northern Ireland. The appointment of Rick Hill as chair is a very positive step and I am confident that he is the right man to build on Northern Ireland Screen’s recent success.

“We have the talent, the expertise, the resources and a welcoming atmosphere that is sure to encourage more and more film makers to locate here. I look forward to working with Rick and the Board of Northern Ireland Screen to build on the progress that has already been made.”

The chair will receive an honorarium of £10,000 per annum plus reasonable travel and subsistence expenses.

Mr Hill has declared no significant political interest.

Notes to Editors:

1. The appointment process was carried out in accordance with the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments 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. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for the political activity of appointees (if declared) to be published.

2. Biographical Details:

Mr Richard (Rick) Hill

Mr Hill has recently become a self-employed media consultant following a 14-year career as a minister in the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.

He has been appointed the Chairman of the Consumer Council from Jan 2009, having served as board member for the previous year. In September 2008 he was appointed as Chairman of Consumer Focus Post (the Northern Ireland Postal Services Committee) and an ex officio member of Consumer Focus (the replacement body for the National Consumer Council). Currently, he is Non-Executive Director of the Society for the Orphans and Children of Ministers and Missionaries of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland Ltd. Mr Hill formerly served as a member for the BBC Audience Council for Northern Ireland and the Broadcasting Council for Northern Ireland.

Mr Hill was originally appointed to the Board of the Northern Ireland Screen Commission in January 2008 as vice-chair and has been acting chair since January 2008.

Mr Hill is the Chair of the Northern Ireland General Consumer Council receiving £21,765 per annum plus travel and subsistence. He is also Chairman of Consumer Focus Post and an ex officio member of Consumer Focus receiving £20,000 per annum plus travel and subsistence.

Northern Ireland Screen Commission

The Northern Ireland Screen Commission was established in 1997. It is primarily funded by Invest NI, the Department of Culture Arts and Leisure and the UK Film Council and it is delegated by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland to administer lottery funding for film in Northern Ireland.

3. Media enquiries should be addressed to the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure Press Office. Tel 028 9025 8901 or email press.office@dcalni.gov.uk .

4. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.