Press release
Minister Humphreys appoints new Board to the Western Development Commission
From Department of Rural and Community Development
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Rural and Community Development
Published on
Last updated on
The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, T.D, today announced the appointment of a new Board to the Western Development Commission.
Making the announcement, Minister Humphreys said :
“The Western Development Commission has played an important role in promoting economic and social development in the Western region since it was established in 1999. Over the past three years in particular, the WDC has established itself as an important contributor to the development of the region, supporting the objectives of Project Ireland 2040 to make Ireland a better country for all.
“The WDC has also made important contributions to the development of policy at national level in areas such as remote working, climate change and rural development.
“I am delighted to appoint a new Board to guide and direct the work of the Commission for the next three years. There were many expression of interest in appointment to the new Board and I want to thank everyone who took the time to apply through the State Boards process.
“The composition of the new Board reflects a mix of new members and previous Board members. They possess an excellent mix of experience and skills from the business sector, the public sector, the community sector and the education sector.
“I have asked Mr Gerry Finn, who has been a member of the WDC Board for the last three years, to take up the position of Chair of the Board, and I wish him well in that role.”
The Minister added :
“I want to thank the previous Board for their work in supporting the development of the Western region and their careful stewardship of the WDC over the last three years.
“The WDC’s five-year Strategy, ‘Work Smarter, Live Better’, which was published in 2019, will provide a strong framework for the incoming Board to continue the WDC’s work over the coming period.
“I have no doubt that the incoming Board will continue to make a significant contribution to economic and social development in the Western region, in collaboration with other key stakeholders.”
The Western Development Commission (WDC) was established in 1999 to promote, foster and encourage economic and social development in the Western Region (defined as the counties of Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, Mayo, Roscommon, Galway and Clare).
The WDC’s activities involve contributing to policy development, research and analysis, undertaking key regional initiatives and management of the Western Investment Fund (WIF) which provides loans and equity to businesses and local communities in the region.
The WDC published a new Corporate Strategy, Work Smarter, Live Better, in 2019. The Strategy sets out the roadmap for the organisation for the next five years. It is built on three pillars: Regional Promotion; Regional Leadership; and Sustainable Enterprise, reflecting the organisation’s strategic goals in the short, medium and longer term.
Appointments to Board of the WDC follow on from the advertisement for expressions of interest on www.StateBoards.ie, and an assessment process operated by the Public Appointments Service.
The full list of Board members is provided below. Unless otherwise indicated, their appointment is for a period of three years.
Members of the Board of the Western Development Commission, November 2020 are available here.