Appointments to Warrenpoint Harbour Authority Board

Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy today announced the appointment of Brian Reid and Alan Stephens to the board of Warrenpoint Harbour Authority.

The appointment is for a four year period commencing on 1 October 2010.

The Minister said: “Alan Stephens and Brian Reid bring a wealth of commercial experience, especially in the area of corporate finance, sales and marketing to the board of Warrenpoint Harbour Authority. They join Peter Fitzsimmons who was appointed to the board in April of this year.

“The public competition to recruit new board members attracted a range of highly skilled candidates. I am extremely grateful for all those who expressed an interest in serving the local community in this way.

“The port at Warrenpoint is a key economic gateway to the North. I am confident that, under the leadership of the Chairman, Jim Stewart, the Harbour Authority will continue to provide the strategic direction necessary to the steer the port through the current challenging trading environment. I am sure that Mr Stephens and Mr Reid will make a significant contribution to the efficient management of the port and I wish them well.”

Notes to editors:

1. Warrenpoint Harbour Authority has responsibility, under a series of Harbour Acts and Orders, for improving, maintaining and managing the harbour. The constitution of the Authority was established under the Warrenpoint Harbour Authority Order (NI) 2002 (No 42). The Harbour Authority currently has a membership of a Chairman and ten members, including the Chief Executive, Finance Director, and three representatives from Newry and Mourne District Council. Authority Members currently receive remuneration of £6,577 per annum.
2. The appointee joins the representatives of Newry and Mourne District Council: Councillors Josephine O’Hare, Michael Ruane and William Burns. Mr Peter Conway, the port’s Chief Executive, will continue to serve as a board member in an ex-officio capacity, as will the Finance Director Kieran Grant. The remaining members of the Board are: Peter Fitzsimons, Bonnie Horsman, Bill Luney, and Chairman, Jim Stewart.
3. The process of reconstituting the Board was carried out by means of an open, public competition in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments NI (CPANI) Kitemark Scheme.
4. Mr Reid and Mr Stephens have confirmed that they have not undertaken any political activity within the last 5 years.
5. Brian Reid currently works for Kainos Software Ltd as a UK Sales Director since 2004. He previously worked for Hewlett Packard Ltd in Bracknell as Practice Principal – Global services and ICL/Fujitsu in various sales and senior management roles. He is an experienced all round business leader, particularly in sales and marketing disciplines. He is currently a Fellow of Sales Institute of Ireland since 1999; Chartered Director of Institute of Directors since 1999; and Member of Professional Development Committee of IoD since 2009.
6. Alan Stephens commenced employment with Mothers Pride as a Sales Director where he progressed on from General Manager to Managing Director and Chairman of the local Board. He was responsible for the sales and marketing strategy in this business. For the past 20 years, until his recent retirement, he has held the position of Managing Director of Premier Foods which is one of the largest bakeries in Ireland employing over 500 people. His experience covers corporate finance, sales and marketing, distribution and warehousing. He also has extensive experience in dealing with Government organisations.