Chairman reappointed to the board of Invest Northern Ireland

Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has announced the re-appointment of Invest Northern Ireland’s (INI) Chairman, Stephen Kingon.

Welcoming the re-appointment, which will be for a further three years from 1 January 2009, Arlene Foster said: “I would like to acknowledge the effort and commitment Mr Kingon has already shown to Invest Northern Ireland and its mission to increase business productivity, the means by which wealth can be created for the benefit of the whole community.

“His extensive knowledge of Northern Ireland’s economy and the challenges and opportunities it is facing, will be of considerable benefit to the Executive as we move forward. I wish Mr Kingon and his team every success with the important work that lies ahead.”

Mr Kingon took up the position of Invest NI Chairman on 1 January 2006. His reappointment has been made in accordance with the Code of Practice of the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland. The Chairman’s annual remuneration is currently £39,904.

Notes to Editors

APPOINTMENTS TO THE BOARD OF INVEST NORTHERN IRELAND:

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 Stephen Kingon

1. Prior to taking up position as Chairman of Invest NI on 1 January 2006, Mr Kingon was previously a Board Member for the period June 2002 - 31 December 2005.
2. Stephen Kingon is the Chair of the Centre for Competitiveness in Northern Ireland. He is a member of the Economic Development Forum which advises Ministers on issues relating to the development and future competitiveness of the Northern Ireland economy. He co-chairs the North/South Roundtable Group, which seeks to improve the competitiveness of the Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland economies. Currently he is Chairman of both Balcas Limited and SOS Bus NI Limited. In addition he is a non-executive director of Allied Irish Banks plc, AIB Group (UK) plc, Mivan Limited, Mivan (UK) Limited, the Baird Group Limited and Anderson Spratt Group (Holdings) Limited. He is also a member of the BT Ireland Advisory Board.
3. Stephen was formerly Managing Partner of Pricewaterhouse Coopers in Northern Ireland and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland and of the Institute of Business and Management Consultants. He is a past-President of the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and past-Chairman of Business in the Community in Northern Ireland; the Ulster Society of Chartered Accountants; and the Institute of Management Consulting in Northern Ireland.
4. He has not been engaged in any political activity in the last five years and does not hold any other public appointments.