The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the Rt. Hon Karen Bradley MP, today announced that she has appointed Lindsay Todd as Chair, Mark McBride as Independent Member and Paddy Mackel as Employee Representative Member to the Northern Ireland Local Government Officers’ Superannuation Committee (NILGOSC). In the absence of Northern Ireland Ministers, these appointments were made possible by the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation and Exercise of Functions) Act 2018.

These appointments will take effect from 1 May and will ensure that NILGOSC can continue to operate the Local Government Pension Scheme for Northern Ireland.

The Secretary of State said:

“My absolute priority is to see the restoration of the Executive at the earliest opportunity.

In the interim my responsibility is to ensure good governance and stable public services in the best interests of the people of Northern Ireland.

I am therefore pleased to make these appointments so that the Committee can continue to maintain what is one of the largest fully funded public sector pension schemes in the UK.”

NOTES FOR EDITORS The Northern Ireland Local Government Officers’ Superannuation Committee (NILGOSC) The Northern Ireland Local Government Officers’ Superannuation Committee (NILGOSC) was established in April 1950 to operate a pension scheme for the local councils and other similar bodies in Northern Ireland. The pension scheme is a defined benefit pension scheme. NILGOSC is the corporate body responsible for the administration of the Scheme and is a non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Department for Communities.

Terms of appointment The position of Chair attracts remuneration of £13,580 per year, plus travel and subsistence allowances, for a minimum commitment of 25 days per year. The member positions do not attract a salary but are eligible for a daily allowance of £123 for a minimum commitment of two days per month. These appointments have been made for a term of four years.

Biography of Appointees Lindsay Todd – Mr Todd has lengthy experience in the pension fund industry and was, until his retirement, a partner in PWC, the professional services firm. He currently serves on the NI Judicial Appointments Commission, for which he receives £294 per day, the advisory committee to the NI Central Investment Fund for Charities and is a member of the Development Board at Marie Curie NI. He is a member of the Investment Committee at Queen’s University Belfast, a member of the Northern Ireland Investment Fund Scrutiny Board and the Disciplinary Panel of the Chartered Accountants’ Regulatory Board in Ireland.

Mark McBride – Mr McBride is the Head of Finance and Performance at Belfast City Council. He is also a Council Member and Trustee of the Association of Accounting Technicians, having previously served as the Chair of its Resources Board and Remuneration Committee. He has experience in setting and implementing long-term plans and strategies, whilst supporting a range of stakeholders within the Council by the provision of information to support decisions reached. Mr McBride has responsibility for the payroll service in the Council, and brings this experience to the Committee.

Paddy Mackel – Mr Mackel has been a long-term trade union representative for the Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance (NIPSA), where he has responsibility for leading a team of Negotiating Officials who provide a service to thousands of members, and is a Trustee of NIPSA’s Pension Scheme. He has experience of lobbying political parties, establishing campaign groups and leading in negotiations. He is a current member of the Northern Ireland Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and has been President of the Belfast and District Trades Union Council since 2010. He has been a member of the Management Committee of the Belfast Unemployed Recourse Centre (BURC) for the past 20 years and has been Treasurer of BURC for the last 4 years.

CPANI Code of Practice The appointment process for the appointment of Chair and Vice Chair has been regulated by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointment NI (CPANI) and the appointments have been made in accordance with the CPANI Code of Practice.

Political Activity All independent appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, CPANI requires the political activity of appointees to be published. The appointees have had no political activity during the last five years.

Statutory Requirements Provision for NILGOSC is set out in the Local Government Pension Scheme (Administration) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009. In October 2018, the Secretary of State for NI introduced legislation in Parliament; the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation and Exercise of Functions) Act 2018 received Royal Assent on 1 November. This legislation provides for the appointment to a number of public offices by the Secretary of State. The NI (Ministerial Appointment Functions) Regulations 2019 came into force on 18 February 2019. This Instrument provides for further critical appointments, including that of NILGOSC.

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland today made appointments that will ensure that NILGOSC can continue to operate the Local Government Pension Scheme for Northern Ireland.

Revised designs for the UK Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre have today (1 May 2019) been unveiled, the Communities Secretary, the Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP confirmed.

This follows comprehensive consultation and discussion with local residents, Holocaust experts, survivors and other victim groups, Westminster city council, Historic England, Royal Parks and statutory consultees.

The revised plans drawn up by architects Adjaye Associates, Ron Arad Architects and Gustafson Porter + Bowman feature:

• a revised design for the entrance pavilion
• revised design for the entrance courtyard and surrounding landscaping
• reduced basement footprint

Communities Secretary, the Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP said:

Over 70 years on, the Holocaust and the lessons it teaches about society and its institutions continues to shape us.

I’m proud to be leading a programme that will provide a national space of remembrance and education in the UK, right next to our Parliament.

Having the Memorial adjacent to Parliament will provide a permanent reminder to political leaders and policy makers of the continued need for vigilance in challenging bigotry, division and hatred wherever and whenever it may occur.

The Memorial will stand as a reminder of the horrors of the past and will encourage reflection on their implications for British government and society, both at the time and subsequently.

We are clear that this is the right place for such a Memorial. The striking revised designs follow comprehensive consultation and discussion with local residents, Holocaust experts and survivors and in addition we are taking a wide range of measures, to preserve and enhance the local park and ensure that it remains fully accessible to the public.

The United Kingdom Holocaust Memorial is dedicated to the 6 million Jewish men, women and children murdered in the Holocaust and all other victims of the Nazis and their collaborators.

It will honour and remember all victims and survivors of the Holocaust and subsequent genocides and educate future generations on the importance of fighting prejudice and persecution in all its forms.

The designs were first unveiled in October 2017 and have since undergone further development through discussion with Holocaust experts, survivors and other victim groups, and local residents, Westminster City Council, Historic England, Royal Parks and other statutory consultees. The United Kingdom Holocaust Memorial Foundation has also worked closely with other organisations and experts on the contents and approach of the co-located Learning Centre.

The proposals have been developed with great sensitivity to the existing context and character of Victoria Gardens. The vast majority of the park’s green space will be retained and enhanced and views over Parliament and the river Thames will be improved with a range of accessible seating and a new boardwalk along the embankment.

After an international competition, with 92 entries in total and 10 finalists, Adjaye Associates, Ron Arad Architects and Gustafson Porter + Bowman were selected unanimously as the winning team, by a jury including the then Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, the Mayor of London, the Chief Rabbi, experts from architecture, art and design, and both first and second-generation Holocaust survivors. The announcement was made on 24 October 2017.

Revised designs for the UK Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre have been unveiled, the Communities Secretary, the Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP confirmed.

Following a competitive application process the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is pleased to announce the appointment of four new members of the Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission (MACC) with effect from 1 August 2019.

• Adam Smith is Professor of United States History at UCL, but from 1 August 2019 will be the Edward Orsborn Professor of US Politics and Political History and Director of the Rothermere American Institute (RAI) at the University of Oxford.

• Adrian Greer is currently the Chief Operating Officer for the British Council and will step down from that role on 10th May this year. He has 12 years Board level experience in the British Council, at the University of St Andrews and as a Director of BC Holdings.

• Judith Buchanan is Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at the University of York, where she is also Director of the Humanities Research Centre. She has worked at the University in various capacities since 1997. She was a Fulbright scholar from 1992-1993.

• Lesley Vinjamuri is the Dean of the Queen Elizabeth II Academy and also Head of the US and Americas programme at Chatham House, having previously worked as Director of the Centre on Conflict, Rights and Justice at SOAS University.

Commenting on the appointment Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minster of State, Rt. Hon Mark Field MP said:

The Marshall Scholarship Scheme is an exceptional programme and demonstrates the ongoing, close relationship between the UK and the US. Our Marshall scholars will have an opportunity not only to study in the UK’s world leading higher education system but to develop a lasting understanding of British society, building life-long connections.

I am grateful to the Marshall Commissioners for volunteering their time to ensure the continued success of the programme. I know we will see more alumni use this opportunity the UK has given to them to go on to become prominent leaders, joining prestigious company like the Chairman and co-founder of LinkedIn, a NASA Astronaut currently at the International Space Station and two current Supreme Court Justices.

MACC Chairman Christopher Fisher added:

I am delighted that we have been able to attract such high calibre individuals to become new Marshall Commissioners, and would like to record the Commission’s appreciation of the service of the four Commissioners who are completing their terms with us: Professor Brian Cantor, Janet Legrand, Professor Simon Newman and Barbara Ridpath.

The Marshall Scholarship Programme has a fantastic track record in contributing to the enduring strength of UK-US ties. The Commission is fully committed to sustaining the scale, quality and vitality of this successful programme.

The Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission administers the British Marshall Scholarship scheme, which finances young Americans of high ability to study for a graduate degree in the UK.

Scholars are selected each year to study at graduate level at a UK institution in any field of study. As future leaders, with a lasting understanding of British society, Marshall Scholars strengthen the enduring relationship between the British and American peoples, their governments and their institutions.

Commissioners serve for a term of three years, with the possibility of re-appointment for a second term. The appointment is unpaid.

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