Chair Appointed to the Board of Warrenpoint Harbour Authority
Date published:
Following an open competition, Dr Gerard O’Hare has been appointed as Chair on the Board of Warrenpoint Harbour Authority for a second term.
The appointment took effect on 1 February 2025 for a maximum of four years. The Authority has responsibility, under a series of Harbour Acts and Orders, for developing, maintaining, and operating Warrenpoint Port to the highest standards of efficiency, financial prudence, environmental awareness, safety, and security to the benefit of all stakeholders.
Minister Kimmins said:
“I welcome this important appointment. I am certain that Gerard will continue in his valuable leadership role, maximising the potential of the Port as a driver for economic development and providing opportunities for growth.”
Notes to editors:
- Warrenpoint Harbour Authority (WHA) is a corporate body, having perpetual succession and was first constituted by the Warrenpoint Harbour Authority Order (Northern Ireland) 1971. Its constitution is now enshrined in the Warrenpoint Harbour Authority Order (Northern Ireland) 2002. Warrenpoint Harbour Authority Orders of 1971 and 2002 conferred powers on the Authority to preserve, improve and manage the Port of Warrenpoint. The Authority also has the power to construct and maintain specific works, to levy dues, to deal with abandoned vessels and to make bylaws.
- WHA currently has a membership of a Chair, three Non-Executive Members, plus three vacancies, three Councillor Non-Executive Members and two Executive Members. The Members of the WHA Board currently receive remuneration of £8,275 per annum and the Chair £24,225 per annum.
- The Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland requires the political activity of appointees to be published. Gerard has declared that he has not undertaken any political activity. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process.
- The appointment has been made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland Code of Practice.
The appointment was made by the former Infrastructure Minister, John O’Dowd, before he took on the role of Minister of Finance.
Biography
Dr Gerard O’Hare
Dr Gerard O’Hare CBE DL FRICS, is currently Managing Director of The Parker Green Group. He is also a Director of The Garrison Group which is leading on a major FDI OMF project for UK and Ireland. Gerard is also a Founding Trustee and Board Member of the Air Ambulance Northern Ireland (ANNI) Charity and immediate past Chair for which he received no remuneration. Dr O’Hare was also deputy Chair of Invest NI from 2012 – 2020 and a Board Member at Belfast Harbour Commissioners from 2012 – 2021. Gerard was first appointed Chair of WHA in February 2021 and has extensive relevant experience to the operation of the Harbour Authority, including leadership and working in partnership, and governance oversight. He holds no other public appointments.
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