Infrastructure Minister appoints three Non-Executive Members to the Board of Warrenpoint Harbour Authority

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. Warrenpoint Harbour Authority currently have 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.
3. The Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland requires the political activity of appointees to be published. All appointees have declared that they have not undertaken any political activity.  All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process.
4. The appointment has been made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland Code of Practice.
5. The appointments of Joanne Jennings, Jane Chambers, and Alistair Eagles, will take effect from 1 March, 1 April and 1 June 2025 respectively, and will be for a maximum of four years. 

Biographies

Jane Chambers

Jane Chambers has had a long career in contracting, consultancy and public organisations. She is a Chartered Civil Engineer, Chartered Environmentalist and Chartered Water and Environmental Manager with a Masters’ Degree in Civil Engineering. Since 2016, she has been a Belfast Harbour Commissioner with remuneration of £25,900.  This tenure will end before Jane takes up her new position.  She holds no other public appointments.

Alistair Eagles

Alistair spent his career in the Irish Sea Ferry industry as part of the small team that founded Seatruck Ferries in 1996. He stepped down from his role as Managing Director in 2024. Alistair has an in-depth knowledge of the shipping, ports and logistics industry.  Alistair is also a (pro Bono) Trustee of the Morecambe Bay Partnership.   He holds no other public appointments

Joanne Jennings

Ms Joanne Jennings is a highly experienced economic development and strategy management consultant with a “Big Four” background from Deloitte.  She has longstanding experience working on boards on a voluntary basis, including East Belfast and Townsend Enterprise centres, Helm Housing and the Association of Town Centre Management. She has held Chief Executive roles in Liverpool ONE and Belfast City Centre Management Company and has also served as Chair of the NI region of the Association of Town Centre Management.  She holds no other public appointments at present.

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