Reappointment to the Board of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland

Communities Minister, Gordon Lyons MLA, has reappointed Ray Hall MBE as a Member to the Arts Council of Northern Ireland Board from 1 September 2025 until 31 August 2029. He has served on the Board from 1 September 2021.

The Arts Council has a key role to play in developing and improving the knowledge, appreciation, and practice of the arts, and increasing public access to and participation in the arts. It is also responsible for the distribution of Lottery grants. Its statutory functions are set out in The Arts Council (Northern Ireland) Order 1995. It is a Non-Departmental Public Body sponsored by the Department for Communities.

Notes to editors: 

1. Arts Council NI Board Member positions require a time commitment of approximately 11 days per annum. These positions are unpaid. However, travel and subsistence allowances are payable in line with NI Civil Service rates.
2. This reappointment has 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 biography.
3. Mr Ray Hall MBE Biography: Mr Hall has recently retired as Resilience Manager for the Southern Emergency Preparedness Group (SEPG). In this strategic leadership role, Mr Halll was responsible for coordinating multi-agency planning, response and recovery operations in relation to major incidents and civil emergencies across six district councils in the southern region of Northern Ireland. His work involved close collaboration with local authorities, emergency services, health bodies, and central government departments to enhance regional resilience and ensure effective incident management. In addition to his public service career, Mr Hall maintains active involvement in the voluntary and charitable sector. He currently serves as a Director of The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association, promoting cultural heritage and musical excellence, and is a Trustee of the Royal Air Forces Association, supporting the welfare of the RAF community. He does not hold any other public appointments and has not undertaken any political activity in the last five years.