Northern Ireland Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy has announced the appointment of four new interim non-executive Directors to the Board of NI Water (NIW).
The move follows sackings earlier this year of over procurement practices. Those appointed will replace the Board members dismissed in light of the findings of the Review of Procurement Governance in NIW. The appointments will be for an initial period of up to 9 months, until a permanent appointment process is conducted and while all future long-term governance arrangements of water and sewerage services are re-examined.
The four newly appointed interim non-executive directors are: Peter Bunting, Lawson McDonald, Máirtín Ó Muilleoir and Kevin Steele. They join Don Price, who remained on the Board of NIW following the Independent Review.
The Minister said:
“I have stated from the outset since taking office as the Minister responsible for water and sewerage services that I am determined to bring about the required change necessary to deliver the best public services for citizens.”
“I welcome these new interim members to the Board of NIW to help manage this transition going forward. Over the next while, I will re-examine the current governance arrangements of NIW and decide how best to manage these vital public services in the long-term future and within full public ownership.
“Between them, the new interim Board members have a great depth and breadth of experience which will enable them to meet the challenge of their future roles. Following the publication of the Independent Review Team’s Report it is important to restore the public’s confidence in NIW and I believe that these appointments represent a significant step in that direction.”
The Minister said that collectively the non-executives bring an extensive range of experience from a wide variety of backgrounds in the commercial and public sectors. The new members will take up their appointments immediately. The Minister will also be appointing a chairman, someone who has the right skills and experience to fulfil this important role in the interim period.
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