Chairman reappointed to board of health and safety executive

Economy Minister Nigel Dodds has announced the re-appointment of the Health and Safety Executive (HSENI) Chairman, Professor Peter McKie, CBE.

Welcoming the re-appointment, which will be for a further three years from 1 April 2008, Mr Dodds said: “I would like to acknowledge the effort and commitment Professor McKie has already shown to Northern Ireland’s workforce.

“His experience and expertise in the health and safety field will be of considerable benefit to the Executive as it moves forward. I wish Prof McKie and his team every success with the important work that lies ahead.”

Prof McKie’s reappointment has been made in accordance with the Code of Practice of the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland. The Chairman’s annual remuneration is currently £18,130.

The Minister also announced today that the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment will shortly be inviting applications for four new members to the Board of HSENI, due to be appointed with effect from 1 October 2008.

Notes to Editors:

1. Professor Peter McKie CBE, who was appointed Chairman of HSENI on 1 April 2005, is currently Managing Partner of PHM Associates (NI) Limited which operates globally and specialises in advising, at Board level, business leaders on how they can more effectively manage workplace health and safety. This follows a long and distinguished career with the Du Pont Corporation both in Europe and the United States. In the United Kingdom he was Managing Director and Chairman of Du Pont (UK) Limited.

He has held a number of public appointments including Chairmanship of the Department of Economic Development’s Industrial Research and Technology Unit (IRTU). With IRTU he was instrumental is fostering ties with the United States Department of Commerce’s Technology Division and served on the United States - Northern Ireland Joint Board for Technology Development.

In addition he has served on the Boards of QUBIS Limited, the University Challenge Fund, the Ulster Bank and the CBI. He has also served in the Department of Education’s Qualifications and Curriculum Agency and the Quality Assurance Agency. He also sat as an advisor to Lord Cullen PC who presided over the Ladbroke Grove Railway Inquiry. Prof McKie does not hold any other Ministerial appointments.

2. The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) is a Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB) with Crown status, funded by grant in aid from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI). It was established on 1 April 1999 by an Order in Council amending the Health and Safety at Work (Northern Ireland) Order 1978. HSENI is the regional authority for health and safety in Northern Ireland and its role is to ensure that risks to people’s health and safety from work activity are properly controlled.

3. Under the provisions of the Order, the Board of the HSENI shall consist of a Chairman and no more than 9 members. Current membership is a Chairman, Deputy Chairman and 8 members.

4. All appointments and reappointments 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. Prof McKie has not carried out any political activity in the last five years.

5. For media enquiries please contact the DETI Press Office, telephone 028 9052 9297. Outside office hours, please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.