INVEST NI has announced a new interim chief executive following the resignation of Kevin Holland.
Mel Chittock, who had headed up the economic development agency’s finance and operations department, will fill in while a major new recruitment campaign is launched for the position, which attracts a salary of £160,000 to £175,000.
Invest NI revealed three weeks ago that Bristol native Kevin Holland had handed in his notice to the agency’s board after just two years in the role.
A former British trade diplomat to China, Mr Holland said he had decided to pass on the leadership role “to focus on a new area”.
Welcoming the appointment of Mr Chittock, the chair of Invest NI’s board, Rose Mary Stalker, said the process to recruit a permanent chief executive would be conducted “in the coming months”.
“Mel is an experienced and strong leader with over 20 years’ experience in economic development who will lead the organisation through the current challenging economic environment,” she said.
“During this period, he will help shape the organisation and maximise our efficiency and effectiveness to strategically align with, and operationally deliver the 10X economic vision and future economic realities.”
Mr Chittock said the past two years had been “a challenging time for businesses and the economy”.
“I hope to continue the good work that Kevin has done, and look forward to working with my colleagues in executive leadership team, the board, and the department to ensure Invest NI’s capacity and capability is fit for future purpose,” he said.
“We have already done so much to help businesses emerge from the recent challenges and to grasp new opportunities.
“I am confident we can continue to build on this and, through our continued support to businesses our partnership working, do even more to help grow the NI economy.”
