Non-Executive Directors

Mr Jim Dennison

Jim Dennison is Chief Executive of Simon Community, Northern Ireland’s leading homeless charity, supporting over 3,000 people every year across 22 projects throughout the region. He has held this post since January 2014.

Prior to this role, Jim held roles in both housing and community relations/development. Jim was Head of Operations at the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) – a professional membership body supporting those who work in housing and homelessness. He was also the Director of European Programmes at the NI Community Relations Council for nine years where he oversaw the investment of EU Structural Funds into peacebuilding work across Northern Ireland.
Jim holds an Honours Degree in Politics from the Queen’s University of Belfast and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Regional and Local Development from the Dublin Institute of Technology.

 

Mr Trevor Haslett CBE

Trevor Haslett CBE was appointed Non Executive Director in May 2015

Trevor is a Chartered Engineer and Environmentalist with over 40 years’ experience in project management of a broad range of areas including energy, water and waste water technology, construction and the environment.  He also has previous Board experience, working at Chief Executive, Executive Director and Senior Management positions across complex and heavily regulated environments including public sector, government owned company, non-departmental public bodies and the private sector.  Trevor has also led and successfully implemented business change programmes delivering sustainable improvements to customer service along with efficiency savings.   His experience also includes Major Incident Planning, Procurement, Risk Assessment and Management, Governance, Renewable energy, and Health & Safety.

As well as being President of the NI Wateraid Committee, a voluntary charitable post, he has recently been appointed as Chairman of CASE (Centre for Advanced Sustainable Energy- NI) and a Non Executive Director of the Warrenpoint Harbour Authority.  Trevor was recognised in the 2014 Queens Honours list for services to the local water industry and voluntary work in the community.

 

Mr William Abraham

Mr William Abraham was appointed Non-Executive Director in May 2015.

William has held senior law firm and business positions in the UK and Asia.  He has also been involved in a number of companies on special projects, as an investor, senior advisor, or on the board.   As a senior partner and the Head of International Projects and Finance for a major international law firm, he led transactional teams working on the project financing of complex, high value international projects.

Among other roles, William is currently the Vice Chairman in charge of Development for the Canada- UK Foundation which is tasked with promoting an understanding of Canada in the UK.

William holds a Bachelor of Laws degree and a Master of Laws (LLM) from Cambridge focusing on international commercial law.  He was qualified and practiced in both Canada and in the UK.  He is active on a number of educational and charitable ventures and is particularly focused on projects that can deliver the goal of societal transformation in a commercially sustainable manner.

 

Mr Dale Ashford QFSM

Dale Ashford served the public of Northern Ireland for 30 years in various roles within the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue service before retiring, in 2017, having been Interim Chief Fire Officer/Chief Executive.

Throughout his career, which included front line service, Dale held a number of senior positions including Head of Health and Safety and of Learning and Development. He spent a number of years as an integral member of the Corporate Management team.

Dale was responsible, as Director of Community Protection, for much of the progressive and innovative work undertaken by NIFRS, in collaboration with regional and national partners, to improve community engagement, particularly around road safety, as part of a wider public safety programme.

He has a Master’s Degree and is a graduate of the Executive Leadership Programme with Warwick Business School.

Dale was awarded the Queen’s Fire Service Medal in 2015 in recognition of his services.