New Vice-Chair for Sport Northern Ireland

Sports Minister Nelson McCausland has announced the appointment of Mr Alan Moneypenny as Vice-Chair of the Board of Sport Northern Ireland.

The new appointment will be for the period 1 October 2009 to 31 July 2012.

Welcoming the appointment Nelson McCausland said: “I welcome the opportunity to make this appointment. The position of Vice-Chair is an important one particularly during this key period for Sport in Northern Ireland with the development of a new 10 year Strategy for Sport and Physical Recreation.

“Sport Northern Ireland will have a pivotal role in driving forward the strategy and in promoting the value, importance and priority of sport and physical recreation in Northern Ireland.”

Notes to editors:

1. Sport Northern Ireland (formally known as the Sports Council for Northern Ireland) is a statutory body set up under the Recreation and Youth Service (Northern Ireland) Order 1986 and is responsible for the development of sport in Northern Ireland, including the distribution of funding. It is managed by a board of up to fifteen members including a Chair and Vice-Chair.

• The Vice-Chair was appointed by Nelson McCausland, the Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure. The appointment will be for the period 1 October 2009 to 31 July 2012.
• The Vice-Chair receives £3,500 pa plus expenses.
• The appointments process was carried out in accordance with the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland 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 rests 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. Mr Moneypenny has declared no significant political activity.

2. Biographical details of new Vice- Chair

Mr Alan Moneypenny

• Mr Moneypenny has spent the last number of years acting as a Consultant/Chief Executive to a number of cross border economic regeneration groups. His previous positions include Director of Recreation at Antrim Borough Council, where he was responsible for the opening and operation of the Antrim Forum and a wide variety of other leisure facilities.
• He is a former Independent Non-Executive Director of the IFA, where he was vice Chairperson of the Operations Board and Chairperson of the Audit and Risk Committee. He was appointed to the Board of Sport NI in January 2008 and serves on a number of its committees, namely: Participation; Appeals; Mountain Leader Training NI; and the Sports Council Trust.
• He has broad Board experience currently serving as a Director of the Odyssey Trust Co Ltd, Chairing the Audit and Risk Committee. He also serves on the Boards of Enterprise NI and the Ulster Community Investment Trust. He was also recently appointed as an independent member of the Audit and Risk committee of North Down Borough Council.
• Formerly an international basketball player he is also a member of the Riverside Theatre and is a Trustee of the George Best Foundation.
• He was educated at Queen's University and the Federal Executive Institute at the University of Virginia.

3. Media enquiries should be addressed to the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure Press Office Tel (028) 90 515 047 or email press.office@dcalni.gov.uk . Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.