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New member appointed to architecture group

Tuesday, 7 September 2010

Culture Minister, Nelson McCausland, today announced the appointment of Diana Fitzsimons and James Donnelly as new members of the Ministerial Advisory Group (MAG) for Architecture and the Built Environment in Northern Ireland.

Welcoming the new members Minister McCausland said: “The appointment of Diana and James will bring new skills and experience to the MAG and I also thank the remaining MAG members for agreeing to serve a second term. Last month I appointed Arthur Acheson as the new Chair of MAG and under his leadership the Group will continue to champion the highest standards of design in the built environment and to tackle the many issues affecting it. I wish to thank them all for accepting this challenging role and to wish them success in their endeavours.”

Diana Fitzsimons is a town planner and planning and development surveyor and is Belfast Office Director of the UK wide planning and urban design consultancy, Turley Associates.

Mr Donnelly is a practicing architect and director of the Belfast-based Donnelly O’Neill Chartered Architects.

Notes to Editors

1. In June 2006 the former Culture, Arts and Leisure Minister, Maria Eagle MP, announced the publication of Architecture and the Built Environment for Northern Ireland.
2. This policy made provision for the creation of a Ministerial Advisory Group to advise on policy implementation and to champion good design in the built environment in Northern Ireland.
3. This press release communicates the outcome of the public appointments competition for members of the Advisory Group.
4. The appointments process was carried out in accordance with 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.
5. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland requires the political activity of appointees to be published.
6. The position of MAG member is unremunerated. However, authorised expenses incurred through carrying out official duties will be reimbursed.
7. The appointments for a term of 3 years will take effect from 1 September 2010 to 31 August 2013.

New Members

Mrs Diana Fitzsimons

Diana Fitzsimons is a member of the Royal Town Planning Institute and a Fellow of the Royal institution of Chartered Surveyors. She has an MA in Economics, an MSc in Town Planning and a PG Certificate in Property Law. From 2003 to the present she is employed as Office Director of Turley Associates. From 1997-2003 she was Commissioner then Principal Commissioner, Planning and Water Appeals Commissions. Prior to that Diana had a long career as a senior lecturer in the University of Ulster’s School of the Built Environment and worked as a planner in Planning Service for two years.  She has researched and published extensively in the field of urban regeneration and housing and represents the UK on the Board of the international Federation of Housing and Planning.

Mr James Donnelly

James Donnelly is a professionally qualified architect RIBA and ARB registered.  James is also a qualified Project Manager and CDM coordinator. He is a member of the Association of Project Safety. He is a Director of Donnelly O’Neill Architects, Belfast.  He has twice served the RSUA as Council member and twice as Committee member. He is a member of Friends of The Academy.

Re-Appointed Members

Andrew Gault

Andrew Gault is a qualified architect and works as Project Manager with Northern Ireland Public Private Partnership (PPP) Education Service.

Ian McKnight

Ian McKnight is a qualified architect and a partner in the Belfast-based practice, Hackett, Hall McKnight Architects.

Marcus Patton OBE

Marcus Patton is a qualified architect and artist. He is Director of HEARTH Housing Association. In 1995 he was awarded the OBE.

Emily Smyth

Emily Smyth is a qualified landscape architect and is a lecturer in architecture at the University of Ulster, School of Architecture and Design.

Alan Strong

Alan Strong is a qualified civil engineer and chartered environmentalist. He is a senior lecturer in environmental engineering at the University of Ulster School of the Built Environment and is leader of the University’s Sustainable Development Group.

Professor Tom Woolley

Tom Woolley is an architect and environmental researcher.  He is an associate with Rachel Bevan Architects, Downpatrick, professor at the Graduate School of the Environment at the Centre for Alternative Technology Machynlleth, Powys, and is Chairman of the UK Hemp Lime Construction Products Association.

Professor Woolley has been a member of and has canvassed for the Green Party, and is currently a member of the Co-operative Party.   

8.  Media enquires should be addressed to the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure Communications Office. Tel (028) 9051 5047 or email press.office@dcalni.gov.uk. Out of hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715440 and your call will be returned.