LEDCOM chief is appointed to Invest Northern Ireland role

Ken Nelson is one of four new appointments, announced by Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster.

Welcoming the appointments, which will be for three years from April 1, 2012, the Minister said: “I want to congratulate the Board members on their new appointment.

“The economic downturn means it is more essential than ever that we have strong and effective Board members who are equipped with all the skills and knowledge needed to help Invest Northern Ireland to grow innovation, exports, productivity and employment, as well as supporting wealth creation throughout Northern Ireland.

“I am confident that the experience and drive of the newly-appointed Board members will prove vital as we continue to rebuild and rebalance the Northern Ireland economy,” she said.

Mr Nelson has extensive involvement in local enterprise and the social economy as chief executive of LEDCOM and as a director of Chain HR Ltd. In 2010 he was the sole Northern Ireland recipient of the Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion.

He was one of the founding directors of Enterprise Northern Ireland and was its chairman from 2006 to 2011. He is currently chairman of the Business in the Community North Eastern Business Leadership Network. He is a voluntary member of the board of directors of two social enterprises; Larne Community Enterprises Ltd and Heritage Experience Ltd.

Mr Nelson is a voluntary member of the board of governors of Ballymena Academy and has a non remunerated public appointment on the board of governors of the Northern Regional College.

The appointments were made in accordance with the Code of Practice of the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments, Northern Ireland. Board Member’s annual remuneration is currently £11,633.