Architecture group gets new chairman

Culture Minister Nelson McCausland MLA has announced the appointment of Arthur Acheson as the new Chair for the MAG, the Ministerial Advisory Group for Architecture and the Built Environment in Northern Ireland.

Mr Acheson is a Partner in the Belfast-based Boyd Partnership Chartered Architects LLP.

Welcoming the new Chair, Minister McCausland said: “Arthur’s appointment as Chair is a positive step and I am confident that his experience and skills will further advance the work carried out by MAG since its inception in 2007.

“Government is committed to being an exemplary client in the delivery of good design. With Arthur as Chair, MAG will continue to address the many challenges ahead and capture the opportunity to deliver the highest level of design quality.

“I am looking forward to working with Arthur and the MAG Members to build on the progress that has been made to date”

Notes to editors

1. In June 2006 the former Culture, Arts and Leisure Minister, Maria Eagle MP, announced the publication of Architecture and the Built Environment for Northern Ireland.

2. This policy made provision for the creation of a Ministerial Advisory Group to advise on policy implementation and to champion good design in the built environment in Northern Ireland

3. This press release communicates the outcome of the public appointments competition for the Chair of the Advisory Group.

4. The appointments process was carried out in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland Code of Practice. A selection panel, which included an independent panel member, as required under the Commissioner’s Code, considered the suitability of all candidates. The final decision on the appointment rested with the Minister.

5. 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.

6. Mr Acheson has declared that he has been engaged in political activity in the last five years with the Alliance Party of Northern Ireland.

7. The chair receives an honorarium of £6,000 per annum. Authorised expenses incurred through carrying out official duties will be reimbursed.

8. The appointments for a term of 3 years will take effect from 1 September 2010 to 31 August 2013.

Biographical Details

Mr Arthur Acheson

Arthur Acheson is an architect and city planner and is Partner of the Belfast-based Boyd Partnership Chartered Architects LLP. Arthur is a first class honours graduate of Queen’s University, Belfast, and holds a masters degree from McGill University, Montreal.Heis a committee member of Belfast Civic Trust, of which he was the founder chair in 1982.He has previously served as a member of the Ministerial Advisory Group for Architecture and the Built Environment(Northern Ireland). Earlier in his career he was a full-time lecturer and associate professor at universities in Canada, Australia and Northern Ireland.

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