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NI Water boss Trevor Haslett to step down | NI Water boss Trevor Haslett to step down |
(about 1 hour later) | |
By Jim Fitzpatrick Economics and business editor | By Jim Fitzpatrick Economics and business editor |
The acting boss of Northern Ireland Water is poised to resign, the company has confirmed. | The acting boss of Northern Ireland Water is poised to resign, the company has confirmed. |
Trevor Haslett had been in the post for less than a year after the resignation of the previous boss in the midst of the Christmas water chaos. | Trevor Haslett had been in the post for less than a year after the resignation of the previous boss in the midst of the Christmas water chaos. |
Lawrence MacKenzie stood down amidst damning criticism of the company's handling of the water shortages during the big freeze last winter. | Lawrence MacKenzie stood down amidst damning criticism of the company's handling of the water shortages during the big freeze last winter. |
It is thought Mr Haslett has said he wants to return to private consultancy. | It is thought Mr Haslett has said he wants to return to private consultancy. |
His imminent departure is understood to have taken company executives and directors by surprise with emergency meetings continuing on Wednesday. | His imminent departure is understood to have taken company executives and directors by surprise with emergency meetings continuing on Wednesday. |
In a statement, the company said: "NI Water Chair Sean Hogan has confirmed that interim chief executive Trevor Haslett has indicated his intention to offer his resignation to the board." | In a statement, the company said: "NI Water Chair Sean Hogan has confirmed that interim chief executive Trevor Haslett has indicated his intention to offer his resignation to the board." |
Mr Haslett was formerly head of engineering with NI Water and previously worked as a director of a private civil engineering company. | Mr Haslett was formerly head of engineering with NI Water and previously worked as a director of a private civil engineering company. |
He is the third chief executive to resign from the post. | He is the third chief executive to resign from the post. |
As well as Mr MacKenzie in January, after what First Minister Peter Robinson described as the company's "shambolic" response to the big freeze, in 2008 Katherine Bryan resigned following controversy over a funding shortfall. | As well as Mr MacKenzie in January, after what First Minister Peter Robinson described as the company's "shambolic" response to the big freeze, in 2008 Katherine Bryan resigned following controversy over a funding shortfall. |
The Regional Development Minister, Danny Kennedy, has thanked Mr Haslett for his service. | |
"I'm sorry to hear of this news, and wish to thank Trevor for the role that he has played. I will be consulting NI Water on this matter," he said. | |
NI Water was created as a state-owned company in 2004 with Ms Bryan at the helm and its structure suggested that it would ultimately be privatised. | NI Water was created as a state-owned company in 2004 with Ms Bryan at the helm and its structure suggested that it would ultimately be privatised. |
But the devolved government took a different view and the company has since been reformed as a non-departmental public body which means it falls under the control of the Department of Regional Development. | But the devolved government took a different view and the company has since been reformed as a non-departmental public body which means it falls under the control of the Department of Regional Development. |
Previous boss Mr MacKenzie drew criticism for his level of pay, at £250,000. It is understood that Mr Haslett receives much less than that, closer to £130,000. | Previous boss Mr MacKenzie drew criticism for his level of pay, at £250,000. It is understood that Mr Haslett receives much less than that, closer to £130,000. |
This disparity may make it more attractive for Mr Haslett to work in private consulting. | This disparity may make it more attractive for Mr Haslett to work in private consulting. |
The pay cap - along with the perception of political interference - may also make it harder for Northern Ireland Water to recruit a new chief executive from outside the company. | The pay cap - along with the perception of political interference - may also make it harder for Northern Ireland Water to recruit a new chief executive from outside the company. |
NI Water denied that Mr Haslett had resigned, but said discussions with him on his future were ongoing. | NI Water denied that Mr Haslett had resigned, but said discussions with him on his future were ongoing. |
During the Christmas water crisis 450,000 people were left without mains supply. | During the Christmas water crisis 450,000 people were left without mains supply. |
It cost the company £7.5m and at the height of the crisis, a million people phoned the NI Water helpline. | It cost the company £7.5m and at the height of the crisis, a million people phoned the NI Water helpline. |