The Department of Health announced today the reappointment of the Non- Executive Chair of the Public Health Agency (PHA) and the initial appointments of three Non-Executive Directors (2 Local Government Representatives & 1 Finance).

Mr Andrew Dougal's reappointment as Non-Executive Chair, will commence on 1 December 2021 and will run to a date no later than 31 May 2023.  This re-appointment carries a time commitment of 3 days per week and attracts an annual remuneration of Pound 36,177.  Three Non-Executive Directors have also been appointed, namely Councillor Robert Irvine, Councillor Philip Brett as Local Government Representative Directors and Mrs Anne Henderson as the Non- Executive (Finance) Director. All three appointments commenced on 12 October 2021 and will run to a date no later than 11 October 2025. These Non-Executive Director appointments each carries a time commitment of 5 days per month and attracts an annual remuneration of Pound 9,678.

The PHA is a multi-disciplinary, multi-professional body, with a strong regional and local presence. The Agency was established to provide a renewed and enhanced focus on public health and wellbeing by bringing together a wide range of public health functions under one organisation. It is required to create better inter-sectoral working, including enhanced partnership with local government, to tackle the underlying causes of poor health and reduce health inequalities.

The PHA is managed directly by a board of directors which has corporate responsibility for its operation. The board of the PHA is made up of four Executive Directors including the Chief Executive, a Non-Executive Chair and seven Non-Executive Directors. The Non-Executive Directors include a Trade Union Representative, two Local Government Representatives, one Financial and three Lay Directors. 

This reappointment and appointments are made in accordance with the Code of Practice issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland.