Appointments to the Historic Monuments Council (Northern Ireland)

Communities Minister, Gordon Lyons MLA, has announced the appointment of Professor Mark Scott as the Chair of the Historic Monuments Council (HMC).

He has also appointed the following individuals as HMC Members:

• Prof Colin Davidson
• Mrs Alina Holyst
• Mr William McMullan
• Dr Joanna Turner

All appointments are from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2030.

HMC was established in 1971 with the responsibilities of the Council principally laid out in Article 22 of the Historic Monuments and Archaeological Objects (NI) Order 1995. The purpose of the Council is to advise the Department on the exercise of its powers under this Order. It is an Advisory Non-Departmental Public Body sponsored by the Department for Communities.

Notes to editors: 

1. The Chair and Member positions attract no remuneration, however there is a provision for out-of-pocket expenses.

These appointments have been made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland's (CPA NI) Code of Practice. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, CPA NI requires the political activity of appointees to be published. Any relevant details are provided in the below biographies.

1. Biographies:

• Prof Mark Scott (Chair)

With over 25 years of university teaching experience, Mark has focused his research and teaching on the environmental and sustainability dimensions of spatial planning theory and practice, specifically related to rural planning, land-use governance, climate action, green infrastructure and green space, and natural and built heritage. He was appointed to the Board of the Irish Heritage Council in 2023 and has acted as an advisor on spatial planning to the NI Assembly, the Oireachtas, the UK's House of Lords, and various regional and local planning authorities. Professor Scott has published extensively in these areas with over 120 journal articles and book chapters. He does not currently hold any other public appointments and has not undertaken any political activity in the past five years.

• Prof Colin Davidson (Member)

Colin is a Professor in Neuropharmacology and was Head of Pharmacy & Biomedical Sciences at the University of Central Lancashire. His research focussed on drug abuse, with a particular interest in their pharmacology, engaging and collaborating with stakeholders, including governments, across the UK and Europe to effect policy change. He is currently a member of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD). He has an extensive background in education, which is supported by an active interest in history, particularly the post-Roman conquest of Britain. He does not currently hold any other public appointments and has not undertaken any political activity in the past five years.

• Mrs Alina Holyst (Member)

Alina is Deputy Chair of the Northern Ireland Branch of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation, where she has played a key role in advocating for best practices in conservation and promoting adaptive reuse. She is a Tutor in Conservation for the Chartered Institute of Building. With a background in the built environment, Alina has contributed to a wide range of heritage-led regeneration schemes, focusing on the sustainable transformation of historic places. As a board member of several organisations, she has facilitated international heritage study and spearheaded initiatives that support community-driven approaches to place-making and revitalisation. She does not currently hold any other public appointments and has not undertaken any political activity in the past five years.

• Mr William McMullan (Member)

William has a Mechanical Engineering background and has held senior Human Resource and General Management positions. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. William is the Director of Strategic Services at Construction Industry Training Board NI where he has responsibility for Careers, Marketing, Research & Development, IT, Standards and Qualifications and Heritage Training. He also engages with the NI construction industry and stakeholders to ensure the training needs of the sector are met. He is a Trustee on the National Museums NI Board which he receives no remuneration for, and he has not undertaken any political activity in the past five years.

• Dr Joanna Turner (Member)

Joanna's background is in the medical sector, having worked as a paediatric radiologist involving developing services throughout health trusts in Northern Ireland. She has also worked as an Associate Dean in postgraduate medical education overseeing the quality management of the General Medical Council Trainer Recognition Programme established in 2016 to improve standards in medical education. She has also previously served on the Board of Governors of a post-primary school. She does not currently hold any other public appointments and has not undertaken any political activity in the past five years.