Reappointment of two Non-Executive Directors to the Public Health Agency (PHA)
Date published:
The Health Minister, Mike Nesbitt has announced the reappointment of two Non-Executive Directors to the Public Health Agency (PHA).
Mrs Anne Henderson has been reappointed as Non-Executive (Finance) Director and Councillor Robert Irvine has been reappointed as a Local Government Representative to the PHA from 12 October 2025 to a date not later than 11 October 2029.
Both positions attract a remuneration of £10,556 per annum with a time commitment of 5 days per month.
This appointment is made in accordance with the Code of Practice issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland.
The PHA was established under Section 12 (1) of the Health and Social Care (Reform) Act (Northern Ireland) 2009. The overall aim of the PHA is to improve the health and social well-being of the population and the quality of care provided, and to protect the population from communicable disease or emergencies or other threats to public health. As well as the provision or securing of services related to those functions, the PHA will commission or undertake programmes of research, health awareness and promotion.
The Board of the PHA comprises 4 Executive Members including the Chief Executive, a Non-Executive Chair and 7 Non-Executive Directors.
Notes to editors:
- Mrs Anne Henderson began her career in the private sector, training as a chartered accountant in Belfast. She subsequently worked for Time Warner Inc., where she travelled extensively throughout the US and Europe, focusing on enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of regional operations. Upon returning to Belfast, she joined BDO Stoy Hayward as a management consultant. Anne is currently a Council Member of the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland. For meetings of up to 4 hours duration this attracts a fee of £120 and for meetings over 4 hours the fee is £240. Training and induction days attract a fee of £120. A Council Member’s role carries a time commitment equivalent to 12 days per annum. Anne's previous extensive experience in the public sector includes: a seven-year tenure as Chair of the Parades Commission for Northern Ireland, Vice-Chair and Acting Chair of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, Board member of the International Fund for Ireland and audit committee of Queen’s University.
- Councillor Robert Irvine has been a partner in RJ Irvine, a quantity surveying and project management consultancy firm, since 1982. He has been an elected local District Councillor since 2001 and currently sits as a member of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council. In his role as a Councillor, he sits on various committees, including the Planning Committee and the Local Development Plan Steering Group. In the recent past he has been a member of the Western Local Commissioning Group (a committee of the former Health and Social Care Board), the Western Education & Library Board and several school and college Boards of Governors
- Appointments to the Public Health Agency are made by the Department of Health.
- All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland requires the political activity of appointees to be published. Anne Henderson has declared that she has not engaged in any political activity in the last five years. Councillor Robert Irvine is a member of the Ulster Unionist Party and is an elected Member of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council.
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