Foster appoints new board members to consumer council
Friday, 4 September 2009Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has announced the appointment of five new members to the Board of the General Consumer Council for Northern Ireland.
Mrs Deirdre Fitzpatrick, Mrs Jill Gillespie, Mr Scott Kennerley, Dr Margaret Ward and Mr Lee Wilson will serve for a period of three years, having taken up their posts on 1 August 2009.
Welcoming the appointments, Arlene Foster said: “Mrs Fitzparick, Mrs Gillespie, Mr Kennerley, Dr Ward and Mr Wilson have taken up their role as Board members of the Consumer Council at a challenging economic time in Northern Ireland.
“The wide range of skills and talents which they bring to the Board will be of undoubted value to the Council, as it pursues its aim of championing and safeguarding the interests of consumers in Northern Ireland.”
The Minister also announced the retirement of Mr David Mann having completed his second term of three years as Board member.
The Minister continued: “I would like to acknowledge the commitment and effort Mr Mann so generously gave on behalf of Northern Ireland consumers during his period of office.”
The appointments have been made in accordance with the Guidelines of the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments.
Membership of the Consumer Council is not salaried but a fee of £101.34 per day is payable.
Notes to Editors:
1. Pen Pictures
(a) Mrs Deirdre Fitzpatrick
Since 1990 Mrs Fitzpatrick has run her own business consultancy practice carrying out work for the private, public and community and voluntary sectors. She helped set up a property management company in 2001 selling her share in 2004. Prior to that, she set up Northern Ireland’s first business incubation centre. She is currently a member of the management committee of Rosario Youth Club and a Governor of Holy Rosary Nursery School.
Mrs Fitzpatrick does not hold any other public appointments. She has not undertaken any political activity in the last five years
(b) Mrs Jill Gillespie
Mrs Gillespie worked as a corporate lawyer for the Northern Bank from 1993-2002 managing the legal risk of the Bank through the provision of legal advice to line management and staff. From 2002-2008 she was a solicitor in the firm of Patterson Donnelly, Solicitors, specializing in bulk remortgaging for High Street lenders. Currently, she is a board member of Reconnect involved in corporate governances and strategic planning.
Mrs Gillespie is a member of the NI Social Care Council Conduct Committee, for which a fee of £175 per day is payable. She has not undertaken any political activity in the last five years.
(c) Mr Scott Kennerley
Mr Kennerley was a Financial Adviser at Halifax Financial Services from1999-2001 and at Abbey National from 2001-2002 providing advice to clients on mortgages, pensions, investments and life assurance. From 2002-2005 he worked for Tameside MBC delivering money advice to clients with mental health difficulties. Currently, he is the Money Advice Project Manager for Citizens Advice (regional office) delivering the contract output measures of the DETI money advice contract.
Mr Kennerley does not hold any other public appointments. He has not undertaken any political activity in the last five years.
(d) Dr Margaret Ward
Dr Ward was a Research Fellow in history at Bath Spa University from 1993-1999 and Assistant Director responsible for fund-raising and policy development at Democratic Dialogue between 2000 and 2005. Currently, she is Director of the Women’s Resource and Development Agency, responsible for strategic planning, advocacy, financial management and staff management. Dr Ward does not hold any other public appointments.
Dr Ward was an executive member of the Northern Ireland Women’s Coalition from 2004 until it’s dissolution in May 2006.
(e) Mr Lee Wilson
Mr Wilson commenced employment in the Finance Department of Lurgan Hospital in 1988 rising to Assistant Financial Accountant from 2002 until 2008. He has gained a BA Hons Business Studies and MA in Admin and Law through part-time study and is currently preparing a PHD research application on Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland.
Mr Wilson does not hold any other public appointments. He has not undertaken any political activity in the last five years.
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 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. For media enquiries please contact the DETI Press Office, telephone 028 9052 9297. Out of office hours, please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
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