Press release

Appointment to the Northern Ireland Housing Executive

Secretary of State Announces Appointment to Northern Ireland Housing Executive

• From: Northern Ireland Office and The Rt Hon Julian Smith MP
• Published: 8 August 2019

This was published under the 2019 to 2022 Johnson Conservative government

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has appointed Mr Chris Welch as a Board Member of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE). The appointment will take effect from 1 August 2019 for a period of six months or until permanent Board Member appointments are made, whichever is earlier.

In the absence of Northern Ireland Ministers, this appointment was made possible by powers under the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation and Exercise of Functions) Act 2018.

Notes to editors:

1. The NIHE is a Non-Departmental Public Body, established by the Housing Executive Act (Northern Ireland) 1971. Under this Act, the NIHE took over the housing responsibilities of 65 separate authorities and became Northern Ireland’s overall housing authority. It is currently landlord to approximately 86,500 dwellings and is one of Northern Ireland’s largest public sector organisations with a budget of over £740m and a staff of approximately 2,700. The NIHE Board is responsible for the efficient, effective and economic delivery of the Housing Executive's services. It determines policies within its overall aims and objectives and makes decisions on operational and organisational strategies.
2. The current remuneration for the position of a Board Member is £6,740 per annum, with an expected time commitment of 1 day per month.
3. This appointment has been made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland Code of Practice.
4. 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 political activity of appointees to be published.
5. Mr Welch has been a senior manager in six social housing providers, including Acclaim Housing Group, through which he has experience of contributing to planning and implementing strategy and operational responses. He also has experience of leading strategic reviews, streamlining processes and implementing improved management systems. He is a Trustee of Inspire North and a former Trustee of York CVS. He holds no other public appointments and has had no political activity during the last five years.

Published 8 August 2019