“non-executive directors of the interim board of NI Water met today informally with our CEO”

The BBC report tells us that

The board of the government owned Northern Ireland Water company has given its full support to the firm’s chief executive, Laurence McKenzie.

But, before making that statement of support, this is how Padraic White, the recently appointed interim Chairman of the interim Board of NI Water described today’s meeting

“The non-executive directors of the interim board of NI Water met today informally with our CEO to be brought up to speed with NI Water affairs in advance of our board meeting in September.”

So, it was an informal meeting of the NEDs and the CEO in advance of the September board meeting. 

Not to mention the fact that 4 of those non-executive directors on the interim Board were appointed in June via an “emergency process” classified as an exception to the Code of Practice.  There are only 2 other non-executive directors, one of which is Padraic White.

Business as usual, then…

Adds As Nevin mentions below, it’s worth noting that it looks like the interim Chairman was also appointed through that “emergency process”.  From the “Notes to editors” in the ministerial statement on that appointment

The non-executive directors have been appointed by the Minister by an emergency process. Although the Department discussed the process with the Commissioner for Public Appointments (CPANI) it is classified as an exception to the Code of Practice.

The appointment of the Chairman will mean that there will be a total of six non-executive Directors on the NIW Board.