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Local man Liam Hannaway has been appointed as the new CEO of Newry Mourne and Down Council.
The new council merges Newry and Mourne District Council and Down District Council as part of the Reform of Local Government in NI.
Councillors will be elected for the new "super council" at the election on the 22nd of May this year.
Liam from Lislea has a strong interest in the Arts especially performing arts and is currently the Chairman of Lislea Drama Festival which kicks off later this month.
Appointed the Chief Executive of Banbridge District Council in 2007 Liam has also worked for the Housing Executive and DARD.
He is also currently Chairman of the Irish branch of SOLACE, the Society of local authority Chief Executives and Vice Chairman of CYPSP the Children and Young People’s Strategic Partnership as well as Honorary Secretary of Youth Action NI. Liam is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Housing and the Institute of Directors.
He is expected to take up his position in the near future to lead the preparations in the run up to the establishment of the new super council. It will replace Newry and Mourne District Council and Down District Council on 1 April 2015.
Welcoming the appointment of Mr Hannaway, Cllr Michael Ruane Chair of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council's Statutory Transition Committee said, “On behalf of the elected members of both Councils, I wish to extend our congratulations to Mr Hannaway. His knowledge, skills, ability and experience will be of great benefit to the new District.”
Cllr Colin McGrath from Down District Council and Vice Chairman of the Statutory Transition Committee also welcomed his appointment, “We look forward to working with Mr Hannaway in forging the creation of a new Council to serve the people and the communities of Newry, Mourne and Down.”
Commenting on his appointment, Mr Hannaway said: “I am delighted to be appointed as the first Chief Executive of the new Newry Mourne and Down Council, my own Council area. I relish the challenge of establishing this new organisation, with its wide range of functions and maximising the economic potential of this important District on the Island of Ireland”
