Appointment of a new Member to the Board of the Arts Council NI

Date published: 11 August 2021

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has appointed Mr Ray Hall as a new Member to the Board of the Arts Council NI. The appointment is effective from 1 September 2021 until 31 August 2025.

Minister Hargey sitting at her desk

The Arts Council has a key role to play in developing and improving the knowledge, appreciation and practice of the arts, and increasing public access to and participation in the arts. It is also responsible for the distribution of Lottery grants. Its statutory functions are set out in The Arts Council (Northern Ireland) Order 1995.

1. Member positions are unpaid. However travel and subsistence allowances are payable in line with NI Civil Service rates. These posts will require a commitment of at least 11 meetings per year.

2. This appointment has been made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland (CPANI) Code of Practice.

3. 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.

Biographical details:

Mr Ray Hall

Mr Hall held the post as Head of Audit, Risk and Governance service in Cookstown District Council up to Local Government Reform in 2015 and had direct responsibility for health and safety, internal audit, and risk management. In 2015 on the formation of Mid Ulster District Council he was appointed as Corporate Risk and Safety Manager. Since 2018 he has been employed as the Southern Emergency Preparedness Group Resilience Manager.  He has a long-standing interest in traditional music of all genres and has been the Chairman of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (Northern Ireland Branch) since 2012. He does not hold any other public appointments and has not undertaken any political activity in the last five years.

4. Media enquiries to DfC Press Office on email:

5. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The Duty Press Officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.

6. Follow the Department on twitter @CommunitiesNI

Notes to editors: 

1. Member positions are unpaid. However travel and subsistence allowances are payable in line with NI Civil Service rates. These posts will require a commitment of at least 11 meetings per year.

2. This appointment has been made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland (CPANI) Code of Practice.

3. 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.

Biographical details:

Mr Ray Hall

Mr Hall held the post as Head of Audit, Risk and Governance service in Cookstown District Council up to Local Government Reform in 2015 and had direct responsibility for health and safety, internal audit, and risk management. In 2015 on the formation of Mid Ulster District Council he was appointed as Corporate Risk and Safety Manager. Since 2018 he has been employed as the Southern Emergency Preparedness Group Resilience Manager.  He has a long-standing interest in traditional music of all genres and has been the Chairman of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (Northern Ireland Branch) since 2012. He does not hold any other public appointments and has not undertaken any political activity in the last five years.

4. Media enquiries to DfC Press Office on email

5. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The Duty Press Officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.

6. Follow the Department on twitter @CommunitiesNI

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