11 April 2003
Ian Pearson, Northern Ireland Office minister for economic policy and finance, has announced the members of the province's new Strategic Investment Board.
The directors will be Nigel Hamilton, head of the Northern Ireland civil service; James Stewart, chief executive of Partnerships UK; Tony Watson, chair of Hermes Investment Management; and Greg Sparks, a partner in the Irish accountancy firm, Farrell Grant Sparks.
Andy Carty is already in post as interim chief executive of the SIB, on secondment from Partnerships UK where he is a senior manager.
The SIB will report directly to the Office of the First Minister and Deputy Minister to advise them on major capital expenditure projects, working alongside the Public Private Investment Unit, which will supply policy advice.
Initial priorities of the SIB are likely to include ensuring that departments comply with central spending policies; driving the quick completion of public-private partnerships for new hospitals and schools; negotiating more flexible office accommodation contracts; and disposing of non-core assets.
PFapr2003
