Extension of Chair and Members to the Ministerial Advisory Group for Architecture and the Built Environment NI

The Department for Communities has announced the extension of the first term of appointment for the Chair and four Members of the Ministerial Advisory Group (MAG) for Architecture and the Built Environment NI from 1 June 2023 until 30 November 2023:

• Mr Andrew Haley (Chair)
• Ms Nicola Waddington
• Ms Roisin Donnelly
• Mr Gerry Millar
• Mrs Clare Mullholland

Ms Waddington has served on the MAG since 1 May 2014. The Chair and remaining three Members have served their positions on the MAG since 1 June 2019. 

The MAG was established following publication of the ‘Architecture and the Built Environment’ policy. It advises on the implementation of this policy and champions good design in the built environment in Northern Ireland

Notes to editors: 

1. Chair Remuneration: It is the expectation that the Chair will be required to work on MAG activities for 4 days per month – the first 2 days a month will be unremunerated, with the remaining 2 days paid at the daily rate of £250. Any additional work undertaken will be remunerated at the rate of £250 per day or £150 per half day.

2. Member Remuneration: Members may be required to work on MAG’s activities including Design Review up to 2 days per month which will be unremunerated. Time over 2 days per month which is approved by the Secretariat will be remunerated at the rate of £250 per day or £150 per half day.

3. Reasonable travelling and subsistence expenses incurred through carrying out official duties and certain dependant carer expenses determined in accordance with the Northern Ireland Civil Service Handbook can be claimed.

4. These extensions have been made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland (CPANI) Code of Practice. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, CPANI requires political activity of appointees to be published, with detail provided in the below biographies.

Biography of MAG Chair: Mr Andrew Haley

Andrew Haley is Chair of the Ministerial Advisory Group (MAG), Director with The Paul Hogarth Company and Built Environment Expert with the Design Council. He contributes his placemaking skills in neighbourhoods, towns, cities and rural locations, having been responsible for award-winning Landscape Architecture, Urban Design and Regeneration projects across the UK, Ireland and internationally. These have included Hillsborough Castle, Connswater Community Greenway and the Wild Atlantic Way. His projects put people and the environment at their heart. Andrew leads MAG’s work in Northern Ireland, as well as representing it and sharing knowledge with UK counterparts and internationally.  He does not currently hold any other public appointments and has not undertaken any political activity in the past five years.

Biographies of MAG Members:

Ms Nicola Waddington

Nicola Waddington is a chartered architect and a partner in Waddington McClure Architects. She has a wide breadth of experience in design, master planning and urban regeneration. Nicola has many years’ experience in a broad range of sectors including urban design and  complex multi-use projects. Nicola believes that by working together on strategic design we will inform and deliver better places for everyone. Nicola is a past Honorary Secretary of the Royal Society of Ulster Architects and assessor at Queens University Belfast. She currently sits on the RSUA Design Quality Panel which supports and advocates quality in architecture. She does not currently hold any other public appointments and has not undertaken any political activity in the past five years.

Ms Roisin Donnelly

Roisin specialises in Historic Building Conservation, becoming an RIBA Accredited Specialist Conservation Architect in 2011. She is a former SPAB Scholar and has served on the Ulster Architectural Heritage and the RSUA Conservation Committees. Her expertise includes restoration and re-use of historic buildings as well as development proposals for significant or sensitive locations. With over 20 years experience delivering projects in commercial practice, Roisin has now taken up a position with the National Trust as Project Manager responsible for Visitor and Commercial Growth across the region. As secretary of a local Regeneration Forum, she contributes to its management, governance and strategic direction. She has been actively involved in liaising with both local and central government on proposals for a new greenway, as well as addressing sustainable transport and roads safety issues in the South Castlereagh area. She does not currently hold any other public appointments and has not undertaken any political activity in the past five years.

Mr Gerry Millar

Gerry has been a member of MAG since July 2019 when he had retired from fulltime employment. He was formerly Belfast City Council’s Director of Property and Projects who led on the delivery of the Physical Investment Programme which is a city-wide multi million commitment to making Belfast a better place to live, work, visit and invest. The programme, which encompasses around 350 projects, is supported by all political parties and includes major schemes to boost the economy, create jobs and improve quality of life in our neighbourhoods. Gerry was previously the Director of Improvement in Belfast City Council with a remit to push forward improvements to the Council overall and in preparation for potential changes brought about by the Review of Public Administration. Gerry’s previous positions included the Head of Urban Development and during his time with the Council Mr Millar has also gained experience in Building Control, CCT, Change Management. Gerry is a chartered surveyor by profession. He does not currently hold any other public appointments and has not undertaken any political activity in the past five years.

Mrs Clare Mullholland

Clare is an Architect and a Lecturer at Queen’s University Belfast. Her practice experience includes education, conservation, community, residential, and commercial sector work.  As a lecturer in QUB she is involved with Architecture and Built Environment research which focuses on architectural design and planning in contested societies, spatial practices, socio-spatial integration, intergroup mixing and community participation in the design process.  Her research is aligned with her working practice which engages in community sector projects focusing on architecture and inter-group contact of divided societies. She does not currently hold any other public appointments and has not undertaken any political activity in the past five years.

5. Media enquiries to DFC Press Office

6. The Executive Information Service operates an out-of-hours service for media enquiries between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays.  The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.

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