Two new members have taken up places on the board of Northern Ireland's Utility Regulator. Sean Hogan and Paul Smith began seven-year terms on Monday after appointments made through the public appointments process.
The regulator is the non-ministerial department responsible for electricity and gas networks, as well as water and sewerage services. Its board oversees the organisation's strategy and governance while the regulator carries out its statutory work on markets, licences and consumer interests.
Hogan has held senior roles across utilities and public-sector bodies. His previous appointments include chairing Northern Ireland Water and serving on the board of Ervia, the former parent organisation for Irish Water, Gas Networks Ireland and Aurora Telecom.
Smith's background includes economic regulation, energy markets and consumer policy. He previously led the Australian Energy Market Commission and served on the board of the UK Civil Aviation Authority, including a period in a joint interim chief executive role.
Both posts are part-time and carry annual remuneration of £12,597.68. The Department of Finance said the appointments were made under the Northern Ireland public appointments code and that neither appointee had declared political activity during the previous five years.