Ilex chairless as McNulty leaves

Last September the regeneration chief announced he would be stepping down in the first quarter of 2012 in order to reduce his workload substantially before he turned 75.

Now Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has revealed Sir Roy stood down on February 15 and that ILEX wants a replacement appointed by the summer.

Sir Roy has worked on key projects such as the ILEX Regeneration Plan and the Peace Bridge but raised eyebrows when he received a total of £104,677 in salary and employer National Insurance Contributions (NIC) whilst claiming £23,470 in expenses in 2008/9.

A recent review of ILEX by consultants BDO envisaged the firm being wound down by 2016 and hoped the “end game” in terms of delivery of key projects was in sight.

However, an audit report published late last year revealed the board of ILEX wants the company to oversee the implementation of the new regeneration plan ‘One City, One Plan, One Voice’ over the next 10 years.

Last week during oral questions at Stormont Foyle MLA Colum Eastwood asked Mr McGuinness what progress there had been in filling current and forthcoming vacancies on the ILEX board

Mr McGuinness replied: “Obviously, the Ilex board issue is ongoing. As many people will be aware, the chair of the Ilex board, Sir Roy McNulty, stepped down on February 15, 2012.

“The competition for a replacement has commenced. It is hoped that the board’s new chair will be in post by the summer. Arrangements are being made with current members of the board for an interim chair.”