The Department for Infrastructure has announced four appointments to the Board of Londonderry Port and Harbour Commissioners (LPHC).
Catriona McHugh, Alan Bissett, Frank Hewitt, and Nigel Robbins have been reappointed to serve for a second term on the LPHC Board.
The Commissioners have responsibility, under a series of Harbour Acts and Orders, for developing, maintaining, and operating Foyle Port to the highest standards of efficiency, financial prudence, environmental awareness, safety, and security to the benefit of all stakeholders.
The appointments will take effect from 1 October 2023 and will be for a maximum of four years.
Notes to editors:
- The appointments have been made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland Code of Practice.
- The Constitution of the Commissioners was established under the Londonderry Harbour Order (Northern Ireland) 2002 (No 41).
- The Londonderry Port and Harbour Commissioners currently has a membership of a Chair, two Executive Members, four Non-Executive Members and two Councillor Non-Executive Members. The Non-Executive Members of the LPHC Board currently receive remuneration of £9,326 per annum.
- The appointments have been made by the DfI Permanent Secretary under the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation Etc) Act 2022.
- The Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland requires the political activity of appointees to be published. Mrs McHugh, Mr Bissett, Mr Hewitt, and Mr Robbins have declared that they have not undertaken any political activity.
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Biographical Details
Mrs Catriona McHugh is a Chartered Certified Accountant. Following a period working overseas on projects to improve public financial management at Central and local levels of government, she returned to Northern Ireland in 2016. She has over 20 years of providing support to public sector clients in Ireland, the UK and internationally on governance, risk, compliance, and medium-term strategic planning. Mrs McHugh does not have any other public appointments.
Mr Nigel Robbins has 30 years’ experience within the digital, technology, and telecommunications field. He has experience within both the Private and Public sectors. He was a senior executive with Viacom Inc. for 15 years and has developed worldwide businesses. Mr Robbins will bring the following skills and knowledge to the LPHC role: strategy, governance, corporate investment, and administration. Mr Robbins does not have any other public appointments.
Mr Frank Hewitt has held several executive and non-executive positions in both the private and public sectors. He has served in the British and German Diplomatic services and his non-executive experience includes Chairmanship of the NI Transport Holding Company (Translink) and of the NI Science Park (Catalyst). He was also non-executive director of the Legal Services Commission, Invest NI, the NI Strategic Investment Board, and Ilex Urban Regeneration Company. Mr Hewitt will bring the following skills and knowledge to the LPHC role, corporate governance, strategy, and finance. Mr Hewitt does not have any other public appointments.
Mr Alan Bissett is a senior utilities lawyer and has advised on a wide range of corporate and commercial matters at leading firms in Belfast and London. He is a member of the Law Societies of Northern Ireland and of England & Wales.
Mr Bissett will bring the following skills and knowledge to the board:
corporate governance, procurement, negotiation, and strategy. Mr Bissett does not have any other public appointments.
- All media queries should be directed to the Department for Infrastructure Press Office on 028 9054 0007 or e-mail: press.office@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk. Out of hours please contact the duty press officer on 028 90372110.
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