Statutory Representative
Local Government

Chief Executive
Banbridge District Council

With almost 40 years of administration and management experience in the public sector including 15 years as Chief Executive of Banbridge District Council, Robert was elected as a statutory representative to The Bridge Partnership to represent the Council and the interests of local ratepayers in the Banbridge District.

He hopes that the work of The Bridge Partnership will provide a one-stop-shop for the co-ordination and delivery of services and promote the economic, social and environmental well being of the District. Robert’s portfolio of academic achievements, professional memberships and personal development are testimony to his commitment and determination. Having completed a Diploma in Business Studies at the Omagh Institute of Further and Higher Education in 1975, he pursued his academic studies with the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators, obtaining the Chartered Institute’s professional qualifications in 1981.

He achieved a Certificate in Leadership Challenge through the Public Services Training Council in 1992 and a Certificate in Leadership for a Democratic Society from the Federal Executive Institute in USA in 1998. Robert is also a member of the Institute of Directors and a fellow member of both the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administration and the Chartered Management Institute. He is a Director and Company Secretary of Banbridge District Enterprises Ltd and a Governor in Upper Bann Institute. He is also an executive committee member of the Northern Ireland Local Government Association, Chief Executives Forum, Society of Local Authority Chief Executives, EU Structural Funds Support Group and Local Government Staff Commission. He has held the posts of Chairman of Society for the Local Authority Chief Executives, Local Government Training Group, Banbridge District Partnership for Peace and Reconciliation, Banbridge Town Partnership and Banbridge District Local Strategy Partnership.

Married to Margaret with three grown-up children, Robert spends most of his free time gardening, walking his golden retriever, swimming and sampling good wines.