OFMDFM Ministersrejected Ilex chairshortlist of 2 people

The Ministers have now said another competition for the position will be run within the next month.

SDLP MLA Colum Eastwood asked the Ministers to give details of the criteria used to determine eligibility for the position, which has been unfilled for over a year now.

They advised the candidate should have experience at Board level; be a dynamic leader; and have experience of effective corporate governance.

The new Ilex chair should also have experience in applying “interpersonal, influencing and networking skills” and should understand “the potential contribution of Ilex in implementing the vision set out for the integrated regeneration of the Derry City Council area, including the effective development of the Ebrington and Fort George sites.”

But although two people were deemed to have met these criteria, the OFMDFM Ministers decided there wasn’t a big enough pool to choose from.

“Following the interview process, two candidates were deemed by the interview panel to have met the criteria listed above and were put forward for consideration by us for appointment,” they stated.

“We decided that this competition failed to provide a sufficiently wide range of candidates for us to select from and it was agreed to run a further competition for the position of Chair.

“The two candidates from the earlier competition are still eligible for consideration and their names will be included with any additional names from the competition which will be run before the end of the financial year,” the Minsters advised.