Extension of a Non-Executive Member appointment to the Board of Warrenpoint Harbour Authority

Infrastructure Minister, Nichola Mallon, has announced that the appointment term of Richard Johnston, a Non-Executive Member of the Board of Warrenpoint Harbour Authority has been extended.

The extension is effective from 1 November 2020 to 31 March 2021.

Minister Mallon said:

“I want to take this opportunity to thank Richard for his ongoing commitment to Warrenpoint Harbour. Brexit will undoubtedly bring new challenges and opportunities to the harbour and I know his experience will be of considerable benefit to the Board in the coming months.”

This extension has been made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland’s Code of Practice.

Notes to editors: 

1. Warrenpoint Harbour Authority 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.
2. The Harbour Authority Board has a current membership of a Chair, two Executive Members, and six Non-Executive Members, this includes three councillors from Newry, Mourne and Down District Council. The Non-Executive Members currently receive remuneration of £7,807 per annum. 
3. The Department for Infrastructure does not reappoint board members automatically to a second term. All appointments are made through open competition. This is an extension rather than a re-appointment.
4. A competition to recruit two WHA Non-Executive Members will launch later in 2020/21.
5. Mr Richard Johnston is the Deputy Director of the Ulster University Economic Policy Centre.  He has held roles in the public, private and academic sectors and is also a Board member of the Inspire Business Centre. Richard was a member of the six-person Ministerial Advisory Panel on Infrastructure which assessed the value that an independent Infrastructure Commission could bring to Northern Ireland during September 2020. He provides support to a range of public and private sector organisations throughout NI by providing evidence based strategic, economic, research, policy and project advice with the aim of stimulating economic growth and competitiveness throughout NI. He holds no other public appointments.
6. 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 the political activity of appointees to be published.  Mr Johnston has declared that he has not undertaken any recent political activity.
7. 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.
8. Follow the Department on Twitter @deptinfra and on Facebook @DepartmentforInfrastructure

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