The Minister said:
“I am outlining today my intention for appointments to the board of Warrenpoint Harbour Authority in a way which I consider will enable the port to consolidate and develop the commercial success which it has enjoyed over recent years.
“First, I have agreed a request by the Authority to appoint its financial controller, Mr Kieran Grant, to the board. This reflects best practice guidance in corporate governance.
“I am grateful for the very significant contribution to the work of the Authority by the Chairman, Mr Jim Stewart, and I am therefore pleased to confirm his reappointment. In order to maintain a balance of experience for the Authority going forward, I have also decided that this final term of appointment should last for four, rather than three years.”
The Minister added:
“I have decided to re-appoint Mr Kieran Campbell and Mr Gerard McGivern for a further term of three years. Together with continuing board members Mr Sean Hogan, Mrs Bonnie Horsman and Captain Bill Luney, they will ensure that the Authority is led by an experienced team.”
Mr Murphy confirmed that he was not yet in a position to appoint local council representatives to the Authority. He said:
“I am fully aware of the important contribution made by local councillors to the work of the Authority. I hope soon to be able to finalise appointments from the nominations made by Newry and Mourne District Council.”
The Minister also paid tribute to those members whose term of service on the Authority will end on 30 September:
“I wish to thank the two retiring members, Ms Margaret Andrews and Mr William Mullen, for their dedicated public service over the years. They have made a valuable contribution to the work of the board. The evident success of the port at Warrenpoint is something from which I hope they will derive considerable satisfaction.”
The Minister concluded:
“With the changes I have announced today, the overall size of the board of Warrenpoint Harbour Authority will reduce from 12 to 11. I am content that this slightly smaller board will possess the depth of experience and the necessary skills the Authority needs to build on the significant capital investment recently undertaken at the port.”
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- 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 (Northern Ireland) 2002 (No 42). The Authority currently has a membership of a Chairman and 11 members, one of whom is the serving Chief Executive. This reconstitution reduces the size of the board by one member whilst also placing on the board the Authority’s financial controller as an ex-officio appointment. Board members currently receive remuneration of £6,130 per annum and the Chairman’s post attracts £16,305 per annum.
- The term of office for the Chairman and new members of the board commences on 1 October 2007 with the members being appointed for a three year term and the Chairman for four years. Three other members appointed in October 2005 continue as members until October 2008. Three representatives from Newry and Mourne District Council will also be appointed on 1 October 2007. These will be announced later.
- There are two retiring members, Margaret Andrews and William Mullen, who have served on the board for nine and six years respectively.
- Chairman Mr James Stewart - has 25 years' experience in industry both as HR Manager and Managing Director. He is and has been Chairman of Northern Area HSS Trust. Mr Stewart is also Director of Training Solutions (NI) Limited, chairman of Warrenpoint Harbour Authority since October 2004.
- Peter Conway, Chief Executive has 20 years' experience in the energy business. He managed shipping terminals at the ports of New Ross and Cork and subsequently served on the management board of Esso Ireland. He was appointed to the board of Warrenpoint Authority in 2004 and following public competition became Chief Executive of the Authority in 2005.
- Kieran Grant has been Financial Controller at Warrenpoint Harbour Authority since September 2003.
- Kieran Campbell is a local businessman with 20 years' experience in management. A Chartered Accountant, he held the position of Finance Director of The Haldane Fisher Group following five years as Financial Controller of Halifax Property Services for Northern Ireland.
- Sean Hogan is Chairman of the AgriFood and Bio Science Institute and partner in Cemac Consulting Ltd Dublin.
- Bonnie Horsman has been Managing Director of Anley Maritime Agencies Ltd (a ship’s agency operation) and Anley Shipping Ltd (a stevedoring operation) since 1992. She was closely involved in the launch of Seatruck Ferries Ltd in 1996, where she remained a Director until 1999.
- Captain Bill Luney is a qualified Master Mariner and is an established maritime specialist with 40 years' of experience in this field, both afloat and ashore. Before establishing his own Maritime Consultancy Company he spent 25 years in the Port Operations at the Port of Belfast with the last 10 years as a Harbour Master. He is also Director of Simentra Ltd.
- Gerard McGivern is founding manager of Banbridge Enterprise Centre and established the Development Directorate at Banbridge Council.
- None of these individuals has carried out any political activity in the last five years.
- The process of reconstituting the board was carried out in accordance with the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments (OCPA) Monitored Kitemark Scheme.
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