Infrastructure Minister announces appointments to the Board of the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company
Date published:
Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has appointed two Non-Executive Members to the Board of the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company (NITHC).
Following an external competition, the Minister has reappointed, Mr Mike Brown and Mr Ed Wills to serve second terms. Minister Kimmins said:
“I am confident that their expertise and experience will remain an important asset to the Board and support Translink in delivering these essential public services. Public transport has an important role to play in providing integrated services which connect people across the island, enhance the economy and improve the environment.”
The reappointments are effective from 1 October 2026 for four years and have been made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland’s Code of Practice.
Notes to editors:
- The Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company (NITHC) is a Public Corporation which was established by the Transport Act (NI) 1967. Its responsibilities include holding and managing property assets and the oversight, in terms of support, control and supervision, of its private limited subsidiary companies, the principal ones being Ulsterbus, Metro (previously Citybus) and Northern Ireland Railways, trading jointly as Translink. It is expected to operate commercially and has a duty to operate in line with Ministerial policy.
- The Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company currently have a membership of a Chair, three Executive Members and five Non-Executive Members. The Non-Executive Members of the NITHC Board currently receive remuneration of £14,263 per annum.
- The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) does not reappoint Non-Executive Members to a second term without competition.
- 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. Both appointees have declared that they have not undertaken any recent political activity.
Biographies
5. Mr Mike Brown
Mike Brown has a background in Transport having held various Senior Executive roles in London Underground, London Rail and in Heathrow Airport. His last major executive role was as the Commissioner for Transport for London. Mike was appointed Non-Executive Chair of HS2 Ltd in 2025 leading the board in the reset of the project. He is also the Non-Executive Chair of Affinity Water Ltd - a drinking water only water company covering parts of Southeast England. He has been a Non-Executive Member in NITHC since 2021 and does not hold any other public appointments.
6. Edward Wills
Ed Wills has a background in Transport, including experience of bus operations. He is currently employed by the UK based transport company the Go-Ahead Group which has a number of international operations. He has held senior roles within the UK and Ireland and has commercial experience. He has been a Non-Executive Member in NITHC since 2021 and does not hold any other public appointments.
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