New chairman appointed to the Consumer Council

Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has announced the appointment of a new Chairman to the Board of the General Consumer Council for Northern Ireland.

Mr Rick Hill will serve for a period of three years commencing on 1 January 2009.

Commenting on the appointment the Minister said: “Mr Hill is taking up the role as Chairman of the Consumer Council at a very challenging time for all consumers. His background of serving as a member of the Consumer Council and chairing Consumer Focus Post Northern Ireland has provided him with considerable experience in consumer advocacy and representational issues.

“The skills and talents Mr Hill is bringing to the Chairman’s role will be of undoubted value to the Council as it pursues its aim of championing and safeguarding the interests of consumers in Northern Ireland.

“I wish Mr Hill and his team every success with the important work that lies ahead,” the Minister added.

The appointment has been made in accordance with the Guidelines of the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

The Chairman’s annual remuneration is currently £21,765.

Notes to Editors:

1. Mr Rick Hill – Pen picture

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 a member of the Consumer Council for Northern Ireland for one year. He is the Interim Chair of the Northern Ireland Screen Commission.

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.

Current Public Appointments Held and remuneration for same: Mr Hill is the Interim Chair of the Northern Ireland Screen Commission receiving £10,000 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

2. The Consumer Council for Northern Ireland, established in 1985, under the terms of the General Consumer Council (Northern Ireland) Order 1984, is funded by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment. The aims of the GCC are to:-

· promote and safeguard the interests of all consumers in Northern Ireland;

· campaign on behalf of consumers for the best possible standards of service and protection;

· undertake research and data collection;

· give advice and information and issue publications; and

· deal with individual complaints about passenger transport, coal, natural gas and electricity.

3. Under the provisions of the Order, the Board of the GCC shall consist of a Chairman, a Deputy Chairman and no more than 16 members. Current membership stands at 15 (Chairman, Deputy Chairman and 13 Members).

4. All appointments and reappointments 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.

5. Mr Hill did not carry out any political activity in the past five years.

6. For media enquiries please contact the DETI Press Office, telephone 028 9052 9297. Outside office hours, please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.