Flying the flag for Coleraine

LOCAL accountant, Ian Donaghey, has expressed his delight at receiving a MBE in the New Year's Honours List.

The 50-year-old was recognised for his services to regeneration in the Coleraine borough.

Ian told the Times: “Obviously I’m delighted to receive this award.

“It not only recognises the work that I have put in but also of the work of various Boards that I chair.

“These are made up of individuals, some representing organisations in an official capacity, some are volunteers like myself others are paid officers facilitating the Boards but nevertheless it is a great opportunity to recognise the efforts all these people who are interested in the regeneration and promotion of Coleraine.”

Ian was educated at Coleraine Academical Institution and Queen’s University, Belfast where he achieved a BSc (Econ) Hons Degree.

He trained with PriceWaterhouse in Belfast and qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1984.

He was responsible for opening an office in Coleraine for the firm in 1989. In 1994 he and Derek Irwin formed a new Partnership, Irwin Donaghey & Co taking over the practices of PriceWaterhouse and Touche Ross in Coleraine.

Ian is currently senior partner and responsible for the management of Irwin Donaghey Stockman, the largest independent accounting practice in Coleraine.

He is involved in the activities of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland, is a past member of the audit committee and currently sits on the General Practice Committee in Dublin.

Ian is involved in a number of voluntary organisations in Coleraine including Coleraine Borough Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Ian has been a director and treasurer of the Chamber for 15 years, now the third largest Chamber in the Province. He was awarded the Business Commitment to Coleraine Borough award by the Chamber at their first Business Awards in 1995.

He has also chaired Coleraine Town Partnership for 12 years. The Partnership is not only is responsible for Town Centre Management in Coleraine but the implementation of a Town Development Strategy bringing together all the key stakeholders with a shared vision of the future for the town.

Ian has chaired the Coleraine Borough Strategic Partnership since its formation in 2001. The body is responsible for the delivery of the Peace II Programme, from the EU and for Neighbourhood Renewal Funds and Local Community funds from the Department of Social Development. The Partnership ceased in 2009 having funded over 3 million to projects in the Coleraine Borough.

In addition, he is chairman of the Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership which was recently formed to take over the role of Coleraine Borough Strategic Partnership in the delivery of Neighbourhood Renewal funds to Ballysally, Millburn and Churchlands on behalf of the Department of Social Development, facilitated by Coleraine Borough Council.

Ian is a board member of the North East Peace III Partnership which was formed last year to deliver funds from the EU under the Peace III programme in a cluster of six local council areas.

Ian has been a board member of Coleraine Harbour Commissioners, responsible for the operation of the Harbour in Coleraine, for five years and is a past chairman.

He has also seen the potential for development of unused harbourlands as part of the development strategy for Coleraine and was instrumental in commissioning a report to explore the opportunities afforded by the site.

Ian chairs the University of Ulster, Ulster Business School, Business Advisory Group which brings together members of the University department and local business representatives.

Ian has been an active member of Coleraine Round Table for over 15 years having served as Chairman, President, Area Treasurer and Area Secretary. He is currently Secretary of 41 Club, an organisation representing retired Round Tablers.

He received “The Lieutenancy’s Commendation” in recognition of distinguished service in the County of Londonderry from the Lord Lieutenant, Denis Desmond in 2002.

Ian has also been involved with the arts, his firm has sponsored a local theatre company “Big Telly” for a number of years. In March 2007 the firm was awarded a national Arts & Business Award (a first for Northern Ireland) for its work with the Arts.

Married to Marie, the couple have four grown up children.

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