Chief executive appointed for super council

Chief executive appointed for super council

12 February 2014

THE chief executive of the new Newry, Mourne and Down super council has been appointed.

Liam Hannaway, the current chief executive of Banbridge Council, was chosen from a shortlist of six who were interviewed in the Burrendale Hotel in Newcastle last week. He said he’s “delighted” to be appointed as the first chief executive of the new super council.

“I relish the challenge of establishing this new organisation, with its wide range of functions and maximising the economic potential of this important district on the island of Ireland,” he added.

Mr. Hannaway has been the chief executive of Banbridge since July 2007 and is expected to take up his position in the near future to spearhead preparations in the run-up to the establishment of the new super council which officially comes into being on April 1 next year.

A sociology and MBA graduate from the University of Ulster, Mr. Hannaway is also a Member of the Chartered Institute of Housing.

The new council chief — one of just 11 to be appointed in the Province — has previously worked for the Housing Executive, holding several positions from Principal Policy Officer to District Manager in Ballymena and North Belfast. During this time he also spent two years on secondment with the Department of Agriculture.

Mr. Hannaway has held the position of secretary of SOLACE, the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives, from 2008 until the present and is a Director of Youth Action NI. He also has a keen interest in the promotion and development of local arts, in particular drama.

The new chief executive’s appointment has been welcomed by councillors from Newry and Mourne and Down Council who hold the top two positions on the transition committee set up to oversee the council merger.

Committee chairman, councillor Michael Ruane, exten-ded his congratulations to Mr. Hannaway. He said the new chief executive’s knowledge, skills, ability and experience will be of great benefit to the new council.

Committee vice-chairman, councillor Colin McGrath, added: “We look forward to working with Mr. Hannaway in forging the creation of a new council to serve the people and the communities of Newry, Mourne and Down.”