Ministers appoint four new ILEX board members

Four new Board members have been appointed to Ilex Urban Regeneration Company by OFMDFM and DSD Ministers.

Dame Geraldine Keegan, Mrs Margaret Lee, Mr Frank Hewitt and Mr Colm McKenna took up their posts as Non-Executive Board Members with effect from 1 July 2010.

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, MP, MLA said: “These appointments come at a critical time in taking forward the regeneration efforts in the city of Derry in particular the redevelopment of Ebrington and Fort George and the implementation of the new regeneration plan which will shortly be going out for public consultation.”

First Minister, Rt Hon Peter Robinson, MLA said: “Today’s appointments are good news for Ilex and Londonderry. The experience, expertise and skills of the new members combined with their personal drive, determination and focus on delivery will be an asset to the company.”

Social Development Minister Alex Attwood, MLA, said: “Today’s appointments will help retain the focus on the dynamic regeneration of Derry. I welcome these new appointments and believe their calibre and commitment to these important posts and wish them every success in their new roles with Ilex.

Notes to editors:

1. Ilex was established in July 2003 and is the region’s only Urban Regeneration Company (URC). It is an NDPB under the sponsorship of OFMDFM and DSD. Ilex was specifically tasked with the development of two former security bases, Ebrington and Fort George.
2. The appointments have been made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments NI Code of Practice.
3. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland requires the political activity of appointees to be published.
4. The appointments will be for a three year period. The posts attract remuneration of £9,600 per annum based on a time commitment of 2 days per month.

Biographical Details

Dame Geraldine Keegan OBE, was Principal of St Mary’s College in Derry for 19 years retiring in 2006.  When she retired St Mary’s College had achieved the distinction of being the highest achieving inner city secondary school.  In April 2008, Dame Geraldine took up a new education post in Qatar as an educational consultant (part-time) involved in setting up international schools – Newton International Schools (Qatar and Brunei Schools Inspectorate).

A native of Aghadowey, she was educated at Thornhill College, St Mary’s University College, Belfast, the University of Ulster, the University of Warwick and the University of Manchester.

She was made a Dame in 2000 for services to education, and in 2002 was appointed a Visiting Professor at the University of Ulster.

Dame Geraldine is also Governor of the North West Institute for Further & Higher Education, Council Member of the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS), a Non-Executive Director of the National Museums National Ireland and a Trustee of the Royal Ulster Constabulary George Cross Foundation.  Dame Geraldine does not receive any remuneration in respect of these positions and does not engage in any political activity.  

Mrs Margaret Lee is currently the Chief Executive of The Cresco Trust, an organisation she set up in 2003.  Under her guidance The Cresco Trust has grown from a core of three employees (including her) to a group of 47 people employed or volunteering with the organisation, and it has a projected annual turnover to exceed £2m in the next financial year.  Mrs Lee has recently been recognised as a leading social entrepreneur in the top 100 of Irish Business Women.  She has experience as a member of a variety of boards of directors and is the first person from here to be elected to the Development Trusts Association (DTA), an umbrella organisation representing over 500 community development Trust in the UK.  Mrs Lee does not engage in any political activity and holds no other public appointments.

Mr Frank Hewitt has been involved in economic development since 1971.  From 1984 until 1996 he worked for the Industrial Development Board as Executive Director Marketing and later as Deputy Chief Executive.  He was Chief Executive of Northern Ireland Growth Challenge working alongside the chairman and board to develop a corporate strategy for the organisation.  He has also held the post of Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure and most recently Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce.  Mr Hewitt is also a non-executive Board Member of Invest Northern Ireland for which he receives remuneration of £11,600 per annum.  Mr Hewitt does not engage in any political activity.

Mr Colm McKenna has a banking background.  He worked for the Bank of Ireland from 1991 until 2008, starting in 1991 as Head of Treasury and International Banking and finishing latterly as Head of Marketing Services (UK).  During his banking career he was largely responsible for business development activity which saw the Bank of Ireland rise from 4^th to 1^st position in terms of corporate banking market share.  

Mr McKenna is also Chairman of the South East Health and Social Care Trust for which he receives remuneration of £28,512 per annum.  Mr McKenna does not engage in any policital activity.

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