The appointments are for a three year period, effective from 1 July 2008.
The minister said: “John Trethowen, Sean Hogan and Angela Coffey are being appointed for the first time and will bring a wide range of valuable experience to NITHC.”
The minister confirmed that existing non-executive directors Veronica Palmer (Chairman), John Doran, Gerry Lennon and Ruth Laird will serve for a further period of three years having been appointed in July 2005 after an open competition. In addition, Catherine Mason, Translink Group Chief Executive was recently appointed upon taking up post in March, and Jim Aiken, Company Secretary of NITHC has been re-appointed for a period of three years, as a result of their respective positions at Translink and the Holding Company.
The minister continued: “The public competition to recruit new board members attracted a range of highly skilled candidates. I consider that the three non-executive directors appointed as a result of the competition will ensure that NITHC continues to have a strong and representative Board.
“Under the leadership of the Chairman, Veronica Palmer, who will continue to serve in this capacity until 30 June 2011, I am confident the new board will provide the strategic direction necessary to encourage continued growth in the provision of an effective public transport service.”
The minister concluded by thanking outgoing NITHC Board members, Dan Harvey, Ray Bentley and Peter Bunting for their valuable contribution to the board over the last six years.
Notes to Editors:
- Media queries to: Press Office, Tel 028 9054 0887. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
- The Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company (NITHC) was established by the Transport Act (NI) 1967. The principle function of the board members is to provide the expertise to ensure that the company is operating in accordance with ministerial priorities. Its responsibilities include holding and managing property assets and the oversight, in terms of support, control and supervision, of its subsidiary companies, principally Ulsterbus, Metro and Northern Ireland Railways, trading jointly as Translink. The Board of NITHC comprises a chairman and eight other directors appointed by the Minister for Regional Development.
- Non-executive directors currently receive remuneration of £12,084 per annum.
- The Chairman of NITHC, Veronica Palmer, was appointed after an open competition in 2005. Her term of office ends on 30 June 2011.
- The term of office for all the other non-executive directors ends on 30 June 2011.
- The process of reconstituting the Board was carried out by means of an open, public competition in accordance with the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments (OCPA) Regulated Kitemark Scheme.
- As per OCPA guidance, where those appointed have been involved in political activity it is noted below.
New Members
John Trethowen is a former banker whose career has included spells as Executive Director of the Northern Bank and as Chief Operating Officer and acting Chief Executive Officer of the National Irish Bank. He has substantial expertise in financial issues.
Sean Hogan runs his own consultancy company and has wide ranging public sector experience having held a number of non-executive appointments.
Angela Coffey is a civil engineer who retired in 2006 following a successful career in Roads Service. She is currently a member of the Board of Governors for Southern Regional College.
Re-appointed Members
Veronica Palmer was first appointed to the board of the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company in May 2002, she was subsequently appointed as Chairman after an open competition in July 2005. She was, until her retirement in 2002, the Director-General of the Confederation of Passenger Transport for a period of 12 years. She is currently a director of Arriva plc.
John Doran was appointed to the board in July 2005. Mr Doran is a chartered accountant with an engineering degree and has held senior roles in the areas of finance, human resources, legal, commercial and general management over the last 20 years. He is currently Chief Executive of Belfast International Airport and chairs the Group Safety Committee of the Holding Company.
Gerry Lennon was appointed to the board in July 2005. He is currently chief Executive Officer of the Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau. Previously he was Head of Customer Communications with BT (NI) where he was responsible for developing, implementing and monitoring marketing, communications and PR strategies.
Ruth Laird was appointed to the board in July 2005. Mrs Laird has had a career, which spans the public, private and voluntary sectors. She has over 20 years' human resources and organisational development experience combined with general management in the National Trust for which she was until recently NI Regional Director. Mrs Laird chairs the Group Remuneration and Pensions Committee.
Catherine Mason joined the board of the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company in March this year having been appointed as Group Chief Executive of NITHCO and Translink. Earlier in her career Catherine was the UK Marketing and Customer Services Director for Arriva Bus UK. This followed a very successful career in marketing for a number of ‘blue chip’ companies, including Grand Metropolitan, SmithKline Beecham, Dairy Crest and United Biscuits.
Jim Aiken joined the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company as Director of Corporate Affairs in March 1999 and was appointed to the board in May 2002. President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland, he was previously Director of Finance in Roads Service for three years and prior to that held the post of Head of Finance for NI Railways for six years.
