Minister Mallon announces appointment of the Chair for the Board of Northern Ireland Water

Infrastructure Minister, Nichola Mallon has appointed Dr Len O’Hagan to the Northern Ireland Water (NIW) Board to serve a second term.

Minister Mallon said:

“I am pleased to announce the appointment of Len O’Hagan to this important post. I am confident that with Len’s knowledge of the issues facing NI Water, he will continue to make a valuable contribution to the work of the Board in his role of Chair."

NIW is responsible for the delivery of water and sewerage services across Northern Ireland. The NIW Board provides independent judgement on issues of strategy, performance, governance and executive appointments.

The appointment is effective from 1 April 2020 and will be for a period of up to four years.

Notes to editors: 

1. The appointments have been made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland Code of Practice.
2. NI Water is established as a government owned company (DfI is the sole shareholder). It operates under a Companies Act. The articles of association state that the Board shall consist of no more than 10 Non-Executive Members including the Chair.
3. The Board currently has a membership of a Chair, five Non-Executive Members and four Executive Members. The Chair currently receives remuneration of £40,000 per annum.
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 the political activity of appointees to be published. Dr O’Hagan has declared that he has not undertaken any political activity.
5. Dr O'Hagan has extensive international and national governance and directorial experience in both the public and private sectors. His current roles include; Pro Chancellor of Queens University, Chair of the All Island CHD Network Board, Non-Executive Director of INM Ltd and Non-Executive Director of the College of Anaesthesiologists. Dr O’Hagan will bring the following experience and skills to the NIW Chair role; leadership, developing and delivery of strategy, governance, collaboration and organisational change.
6. Dr O’Hagan has served one term as Chair of NIW – 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2020.
7. The Department for Infrastructure does not reappoint board members automatically to a second term. All appointments are made through open competition. An outgoing Chair or Member who has served one term is eligible to apply through the open competition for a second term.
8. 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.
9. Follow the Department on Twitter @deptinfra and on Facebook @DepartmentforInfrastructure.

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