Reappointments to the board of Invest Northern Ireland

Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has announced the reappointment of three Members to the Board of Invest Northern Ireland (INI).

The reappointments of Mr John Brady, Dr Bryan Keating and Mr Ed Vernon were made to the Board of Invest Northern Ireland for a period of three years, effective from 1 April 2009.

Welcoming the reappointments, the Minister said: “The members have been reappointed at a time of great importance for the local economy. The wide range of skills and experiences they bring to the Board will enhance the ability of Invest NI to help Northern Ireland create the dynamic and innovative economy that we are seeking.

The reappointments have been made in accordance with the code of practice of the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland. None of the reappointees has carried out any political activity in the last five years.

Invest NI Board members currently receive an annual remuneration of £11,405. Mr Keating will act as Deputy Chairman for Mr Kingon. The role does not attract a higher remuneration.

Notes to Editors:

1. Invest Northern Ireland is a non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB). Its sponsor Department is the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI). Established under the Industrial Development Act (Northern Ireland) 2002, its role is to promote innovation, enterprise and competitiveness in Northern Ireland businesses, encourage new start-ups and market Northern Ireland as a location for inward investment.

2. Under the provisions of the Act, the Board of Invest NI shall consist of a Chairman and not fewer than 10 nor more than 20 other members. Current membership stands at 15 (Chairman and 14 other members)

3. 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 any declared) to be published.

Mr John Brady: John Brady is currently a non-executive director of a number of companies, including Greene King plc. He is also an Advisory Board member of a private equity company. He worked for McKinsey & Co for over 20 years and was a director for 10 years – 80% of his clients were international. Mr Brady has wide experience of the fast changing global business scene, particularly in the areas of marketing, corporate governance and risk management. He has served as an Advisory Council member of the Imperial College Management School.

Dr Bryan Keating: Bryan Keating has been a company director for 30 years. He is currently a director of four private sector companies and a number of public sector organisations. In total, over the last 15 years he has been chairman or a non–executive director of seven high tech companies and six public sector companies; QUBIS, University Challenge Fund Investment Committee, Investment Belfast, Halo, the NI Business Angel Network, Momentum and NICENT, the NI Centre for Entrepreneurship. As an Angel Investor he has extensive experience of both Corporate and Venture Capital issues. He is a visiting professor at the University of Ulster. Dr Keating received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion 2006.

Mr Ed Vernon: Ed Vernon was founder and Managing Director of BIC Systems, a leading indigenous technology solutions business. This was acquired by BT plc in 2004 after which he became Head of Corporate Development at BTNI. He is a former Chairman of the NI Software Industry Federation and led a fundamental review of strategy for the software and technology sector and was Chair of the Matrix ICT Panel. He is Chief Executive of Synetecs Ltd and Chairman of Macildowie Associates Ltd. He is a Member of the BT Advisory Board, a Foundation Board Trustee of Queens University and a member of the IoD NI Committee. Mr Vernon has received a number of business awards including the BCS IT Professional of the Year, the IoD's Award of Excellence and entry into Invest NI's inaugural Hall of Fame which was designed to celebrate the best of local entrepreneurship and promote enterprise through the showcasing of role models.

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