Givan appoints Interim Chair of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive

Communities Minister, Paul Givan, has announced that he has appointed Professor Peter Roberts as Interim Chair to the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE).

Professor Roberts, who is currently Vice Chair of the NIHE will take on the role of Interim Chair on 1 January 2017 and will replace Donald Hoodless who will be leaving his post on 31 December 2016.

Minister Givan said: “Professor Roberts has a vast array of experience in housing and regeneration and has held the position of Vice Chair of the NIHE for over four years.  I want to thank him for taking on the role of Chair on an interim basis as we undertake a public appointments process.”

The Minister added: “I want to also thank Donald Hoodless for his dedication to the role of Chair which he has occupied from 2012 and wish him all the best for the future.” 

A public appointment process will commence shortly to fill the positions of both Chair and Vice-Chair of the Board of the NIHE. 

Notes to editors: 

1. A public appointment process will commence in early 2017 to fill the positions of both Chair and Vice-Chair of the Board of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. 
2. Donald Hoodless will step down as Chair of the Board on 31 December 2016.  The current Vice-Chair, Professor Peter Roberts will act as Interim Chair on a temporary basis from 1 January 2017 until a public appointment process to fill the Chair position on a permanent basis is complete.  The Commissioner for Public Appointments Northern Ireland has been consulted on the temporary appointment.
3. The NIHE Board is responsible for the efficient, effective and economic delivery of the Housing Executive's services.  It determines policies within its overall aims and objectives and makes decisions on operational and organisational strategies.  The Interim Chair will report to the Minister for Communities on the organisation's achievement of its objectives and targets.
4. The current remuneration for the position of Chair of the Board is £32,512 per annum, for two days each week.
5. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part. However, the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland requires the political activity of appointees to be published.
6. Professor Roberts is the Chair of First Ark group, a Visiting Professor at the University of Ulster and Professor Emeritus at the University of Leeds. He has a vast array of housing and regeneration experience.  Professor Roberts is a Non –Executive Director of Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust for which he receives £16,137.  He has not undertaken any political activity in the last five years.
7. Media enquiries to DfC Press Office on 028 9082 3505 or email: press.office@communities-ni.gov.uk.  Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07623 974383.
8. Follow us on Twitter - @CommunitiesNI

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