Minister announces appointments to the Construction Industry Training Board

Minister for Employment and Learning, Maria Eagle MP, has announced appointments of five new members to the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB).

The following appointments take effect from 1 April 2007 and run until 31 March 2010.

Mark Lowry - is currently joint Managing Director of Farrens (Constructions) Ltd, the construction division of Northstone (NI) Ltd who in turn are wholly owned by CRH plc, a post he has held for the last two years. He was heavily involved in the negotiations on the Victoria Square project on behalf of the Farrens-Gilbert-Ash joint-venture. Mr Lowry has held various posts with Farrens since 1987 and is the incoming Chairman of the Institution of Civil Engineers.

Neil Patton - has been Managing Director of the Patton Group since 1999. He has responsibility for the operational and financial performance of the Group and since joining it has held a number of other positions. He is a member of the Institute of Directors. From 2002 - 2004 he was Business Development Director of Ballymena Rugby Football Club, with responsibility for the preparation and completion of a master plan for the future development of the club.

Christopher Carvill - is currently Group Managing Director of the Carvill Group Ltd, a post he has held since 1995. He is also involved with the Construction Employers Federation as a member of Main Council, Public Authority Council and Private Housing Council.

Since 2000, Michelle Doran has been Office Manager/Health and Safety Officer/Training Co-ordinator and Accounts Manager for Tullyherron Developments. Mrs Doran previously worked as a Legal Secretary.

Thompson Keating - has been Deputy Director of North Down and Ards Institute since 2003. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Building and a member of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors. Prior to joining the North Down and Ards Institute he was Estates Manager for Queen’s University, Belfast.

Notes To Editors:

1. The CITB is a Non-Departmental Public Body which is funded by a statutory levy on employers in the industry. All appointments to the Board are made by the Department for Employment and Learning under the Industrial Training (NI) Order 1984.
2. Members receive an allowance of £144 for attendance at meetings.
3. The appointments have been made on merit and in accordance with the OCPA NI Code of Practice.
4. Political activity played no part in the selection process.
5. Other members of the Board are: Sean Campbell (Chair), Edwin O’Neill, Bobby Newberry, Lorraine Campbell, Michael Kiddle, Michael Mulholland, Trevor Patterson, Bobby Hanna, David Cleland and Eleanor Ross.
6. Media queries to the Department for Employment and Learning Press Office on 028 9025 7872.