Appointment of non-executive members of the Strategic Investment Board (SIB)

The Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister today announced the appointments of Ms Geraldine McAteer, Mr Bro McFerran CBE, and Mr Denis Rooney CBE as non-executive directors to the Strategic Investment Board.

The appointments are for a term of three years and took effect from 1 November 2009. In addition Dr David Dobbin CBE, who has been acting Chairman since Tony Watson’s retirement from that position on 31 March 2009, has been appointed Chairman to the Board for a further term which will be completed on 30 September 2011.

Notes to editors:

1. The Strategic Investment Board Ltd (SIB) was legally established as a company, limited by guarantee fully funded by the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister on 1 April 2003. For administrative purposes it is classified as an Executive Non-Departmental Public Body, sponsored by OFMDFM. Detailed information on the Strategic Investment Board can be accessed at the SIB website
2. The position of non-executive director of the Strategic Investment Board Ltd carries an annual remuneration of £11,000.
3. The appointments were made by First Minister Rt Hon Peter Robinson MP MLA and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness MP MLA.
4. The appointments were made in accordance with the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments’ Code of Practice. A selection panel, which included an independent assessor, as required under the Commissioner’s Code, considered the suitability of all candidates. The final decision on the appointment rested with Ministers.
5. All appointments 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. None of the candidates declared any political activities.
6. The new Board will continue to include two executive members who are employees of SIB – its Chief Executive Officer, David Gavaghan and its Chief Operating Officer Brett Hannam.
7. For media enquiries please contact OFMDFM press office on tel: 028 9052 1840. Out of hours please contact the duty press officer via pager no 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.

Chairman

Dr David Dobbin, CBE

David Dobbin is Group Chief Executive of United Dairy Farmers and is also Chairman of the North/South economic body, InterTradeIreland. He is actively involved in promoting regional economic development and serves on a number of public and private bodies including Invest Northern Ireland. David has extensive international business experience in the food and drink and packaging sectors and received a CBE in 2005 for his service to the agrifood and packaging industries.

Non-executive directors

Geraldine McAteer

Ms McAteer is a panel member of the Strategic Review of the Parading Body and is currently working with the review team to develop a framework for the resolution of the parades issue. Ms McAteer is Chief Executive of the West Belfast Partnership Board which aims to drive the economic, social and physical regeneration of West Belfast. She chaired the North and West Belfast Health and Social Services Trust from September 2006 to March 2007 and has also held office there as a non-executive director for five years. As Chairperson, she led the Trust through the major change process of its dissolution in March 2007 and subsequent merger with the new Belfast Trust.

Ms McAteer was a member of the Board of Laganside Corporation, until June 2007. Ms McAteer worked with Board members and the Executive Team to take forward the Corporation’s objectives to regenerate Laganside. She lives in the greater Belfast area.

Arthur J McFerran, CBE

Mr McFerran (known as 'Bro') has a computer services background and since 1999 has been Managing Director of Allstate Northern Ireland (formerly known as Northbrook Technology); he was previously the owner and Managing Director of Logicom Ltd. Allstate NI is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Allstate Corporation which also has an Investment Division based in London which was opened with Mr McFerran’s assistance.

Mr McFerran is currently the President of the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and has participated in DETI’s Economic Development Forum. He is Chairman of the Belfast Workforce Development Forum sponsored by DEL and is a Non-Executive Director of the Northern Bank serving on its Audit Committee. Mr McFerran was awarded a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in 2005 for services to the IT Industry of Northern Ireland. Mr McFerran lives in Belfast.

Denis Rooney, CBE

Mr Rooney was a senior partner in his own company “DRA” which was established in Belfast in 1984. In 2004 the company was acquired by White Young and Green PLC (WYG) (a multi disciplinary construction consultancy firm) and Mr Rooney was appointed CEO for WYG Ireland. Mr Rooney left WYG in October 2007. He is currently the Chairman of the International Fund for Ireland, which is a joint appointment by the British and Irish Governments and has served for several years on the Economic Development Forum. He has been Chairman of the Institute of Directors and the RICS and has been awarded an MBE for his services to the construction industry and a CBE for his services to the Northern Ireland Economy and the Community. Mr Rooney lives in Belfast.