Appointments to the Historic Monuments Council

1. The HMC was first established in 1971 under the provisions of the Historic Monuments (Northern Ireland) Act 1971. Its current authority is derived from the Historic Monuments and Archaeological Objects (Northern Ireland) Order 1995. Its roots rest in the Ancient Monuments Advisory Council 1926-1970. It is a statutory advisory council which provides advice to the Department of Communities on the exercise of its powers under the Historic Monuments and Archaeological Objects (NI) Order 1995. This includes the conservation and preservation of monuments in state care, scheduling of monuments, maritime archaeology, industrial and defence heritage, historic parks, gardens and demesnes and the identification of Areas of Significant Archaeological Interest in the context of Development Plans.

2. The Members of HMC are not paid but are entitled to an allowance for travelling and other expenses including a subsistence allowance payable in line with current Civil Service rates.

3. The terms of appointment have been made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland Code of Practice.

4. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland requires political activity of appointees to be published.

5. Biographical details:

Dr Jason Bolton

Dr Bolton is a member of the Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland, with specialist qualification in stone conservation and commercial diving, and is committed to raising awareness on heritage issues. He has been involved in a number of conservation and archaeological projects including the Grangegorman Project in Dublin and the Dun Laoghaire Baths. He has not undertaken any political activity in the last five years and holds no other public appointments.

Mr Ian Doyle

Mr Doyle is Head of Conservation with Ireland’s statutory Heritage Council. He works on issues such as research strategies, strategic planning, landscapes and historic towns. He has experience of developing working relationships within government, private and community sectors for example through the Irish National Strategic Archaeological Research Programme and Adopt a Monument. He is a graduate of Trinity College Dublin, University College Cork and the Irish Management Institute. He is currently chair of the Royal Irish Academy Standing Committee on Archaelogy. He has not undertaken any political activity in the last five years and holds no other public appointments.

Dr Siobhán McDermott

Dr McDermott is a digital archaeologist working in the Centre for Archaeological Fieldwork at Queen’s University, Belfast, where she has been involved in employing new survey techniques. She has taught undergraduates and graduates in digital capture and geo-spatial technologies, and has experience of project managing a number of programmes of geophysical survey. She has not undertaken any political activity in the last five years and holds no other public appointments.

Mr Joseph McVey

Mr McVey works across the public and third sector as a senior consultant, with experience of working within the third sector, the museums sector and with the Architectural Heritage Society. He is currently a Commissioner with the Equality Commission and is Trustee of the VSB Foundation and the Golden Thread Gallery. He brings experience of creating economic opportunities and benefits to the Council. He has not undertaken any political activity in the last five years and holds no other public appointments.

Dr William Megarry

Dr Megarry is a lecturer at Queen’s University, Belfast, where he is also a recruitment officer for the Archaeology and Palaeocology Department. He has worked in heritage and community archaeology across the world, including at many World Heritage Sites. He is a member of the International Council on Monuments and Sites, and a member of the International Committee on Archaeological Heritage Management. He has not undertaken any political activity in the last five years and holds no other public appointments.

Dr Sally Montgomery

Dr Montgomery is a trained educator and was formerly Head of Education at the Ulster Museum before setting up and becoming the founding CEO of W5.  At W5 she gained experience of governance, strategic planning, risk, audit and exhibition development.  As a Director of the Titanic Foundation Ltd she has been involved with securing funds for, and the interpretation of, heritage assets. She is a commissioner of Irish Lights. She has not undertaken any political activity in the last five years and holds no other public appointments.

Dr James O’Neill

Dr O’Neill has a background in research and development, including his work with the Northern Ireland Environment Agency Sites and Monuments Record through which he developed the Northern Ireland Battlefields Database and the Defence Heritage Record. He is an historian and a specialist in conflict archaeology. He is a published author, with experience of engaging with historical and archaeological societies, and presenting to academia.  He has not undertaken any political activity in the last five years and holds no other public appointments.

Mr Sam Redmond

Mr Redmond is a commercial finance consultant, with a background in the banking sector having carried out a number of management roles in that area. His experience within this sector ranges from strategy development, to stakeholder engagement and portfolio management. He is a Board Member of Via Wings, a charity setup to help the vulnerable within the community in Dromore. He has not undertaken any political activity in the last five years and holds no other public appointments.

Mr David Vincent

Mr Vincent is the Chief Digital Officer of Tourism NI, with responsibility for accelerating the delivery of its digital ambitions through the Digital Transformation work programme to support the development of tourism assets. He is the Chair of the NI Buy Social ICT Reference Working Group which works to respond positively to social procurement issues. He has not undertaken any political activity in the last five years and holds no other public appointments.

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