Extension of appointments to the Board of Ulster Supported Employment Ltd

The Department for Communities has extended the second term of appointment of the Chair of Ulster Supported Employment Ltd (USEL), Mr Jim Perry from 1 August 2018 to 31 January 2019. Mr Perry has been Chair of the Board from 1 August 2012.

New appointments of Assistant Commissioners for the Local Government Boundaries Review

The following USEL Members have also had their second term of appointment extended for the same period

• Dr Gavin Adams
• Mr Aidan Bennett

They have both served on the USEL Board since 11 April 2012.

Notes to editors: 

1. USEL is a Non-Departmental Public Body of the Department for
    Communities. It was established in 1962 to provide supported paid 
    employment for disabled people. Approximately 85% of employees at its
    manufacturing facility in Belfast have a disability or heath related
    condition. Today USEL is the largest supporter of people with disabilities
    within Northern Ireland with offices in Belfast, Londonderry, Portadown
    and Omagh. Each year the company supports over 1500 people with
    disabilities in more than 750 companies to enter and sustain economic
    employment through its various employment programmes.

2. The Chair position attracts remuneration of £270 for each board meeting
    attended while Board Members receive remuneration of £135 for each
    board meeting attended. Travel and subsistence allowances for official
    business will be payable. Any extra work undertaken will be paid at an
    hourly rate.

3. The extensions have been made in accordance with the Code of   
    Practice for Ministerial Public Appointments issued by the
    Commissioner for Public Appointments NI.

4. All extensions to 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 the political activity of
    appointees to be published.

5. Biographical details:

Mr James Perry

Mr Perry is a Chartered Accountant, and a Member of the Pharmaceutical Society for Northern Ireland. He is a Member of the Gallaher Trust which was has been established to help promote job opportunities in Ballymena and is also Vice Chair of the Ballymena Business centre. He is a former Chair of the Northern Ireland Social Care Council. He was awarded an MBE for his services to Ballymena and has worked with the Ahoghill ‘In Bloom’ team for many years. He is currently the Clerk to the Lieutenancy of County Antrim and has previously served on the Board of Governors of several schools. He brings a range of skills based on his experience of serving on various boards to USEL. Mr Perry has declared no political activity in the last five years and holds no other public appointments.

Dr Gavin Adams

Dr Adams is currently the Director of Business Development in Extern where he is responsible for providing leadership to Extern’s income generation, communications and marketing, and public affairs activity – skills which he brings to the USEL Board, as well as a passion for the voluntary sector. He was formerly Senior Manager for Business Development for the Royal National Institute of Blind People. Dr Adams has declared no political activity in the last five years and holds no other public appointments.

Mr Aidan Bennett

Mr Bennett is a qualified Company Director and Business Consultant, having worked in a number of management consultancy companies. He is currently a Board Member of Relate NI. He has a strong background in governance, risk management and assurance, and is a qualified Management of Risk practitioner. He brings a wealth of such experience to the Board based on his work across the public and private sectors. He has declared no political activity in the last five years and holds no other public appointments.

6. For media enquiries please contact the Department for Communities
    Press Office on 028 9082 3505 or email press.office@communities-
    ni.gov.uk. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer on
    028 9037 8110.

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