Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has announced the appointment of Nicole Lappin as Chair of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) Board.
This appointment will take effect from 5 November 2022.
The NIHE was established by the Housing Executive Act (NI) 1971 to take over the housing responsibilities of the 65 separate housing authorities that existed at that time. It is now the overall housing authority for Northern Ireland with a budget of over £740m and a staff of approximately 2,700. It also makes a substantial contribution to better health, education and wellbeing through housing.
Notes to editors:
- The Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) is a Non-Departmental Public Body of the Department for Communities and carries out two significant public service roles. First, it is the landlord of approximately 85,000 dwellings, making it one of the biggest social housing providers in the UK and Ireland. Second, it is an arms-length body that delivers a range of housing functions on behalf of the government. Critically, it was established with the key aim of ensuring independence, transparency and fairness in the allocation of social housing. After fifty years this remains a cornerstone of its statutory responsibilities through its administration of the Common Housing Waiting List.
- Provision for the NIHE Board is set out in the Housing (Northern Ireland) Order 1981. The purpose of the Board is to provide effective leadership and strategic direction to the organisation and for ensuring the NIHE fulfils the aims and objectives agreed in the Corporate and Business Plans approved by the Minister.
- This position attracts remuneration of £34,594 per year, plus travel and subsistence allowances for a minimum time commitment of two days per week. Mrs Lappin has been appointed to this role for a five year term.
- Mrs Nicole Lappin is a qualified barrister and Chair of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service and Social Care Trust for which she receives remuneration of £25,210 per annum. She has served on a number of other boards, including the Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunal Services and as Chief Commissioner of the Charity Commission for NI. Through these and other roles she brings a range of valuable skills and experience to the NIHE Board relating to leadership, change management, governance and accountability, delivering results and collaborative working.
- The appointment process for the appointment of Chair has been regulated by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointment NI (CPANI) and the appointment has have been made in accordance with the CPANI Code of Practice.
- All independent appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, CPANI requires the political activity of appointees to be published. Mrs Lappin has had no political activity in the last 5 years.
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