Spa man is appointed chief executive of Orange Order

Spa man is appointed chief executive of Orange Order

7 December 2016

A LOCAL man Iain Carlisle has been appointed the Orange Order’s first chief executive officer.

The 43 year-old from the Spa outside Ballynahinch will run the administrative side of the institution and comes to the organisation from the Ulster-Scots Community Network where he was the director.

The new man at the helm intends to develop the Order to ensure it remains sustainable and relevant in the future.

There are around 35,000 members of the Orange institution in Ireland who belong to more than 1,000 lodges. The Order is led by Grand Master Edward Stevenson and a team based in Schomberg House in east Belfast.

Mr Carlisle, who was educated at Down High School and studied History and Politics at Queen’s University, is a father of two and been a member of the Orange Order since 1990. He is currently the secretary of Brunswick LOL No 1702.

He is also a member of the Royal Black Institution in Mourne district, and bandmaster of Brunswick Accordion Band in Annalong.

The new chief executive will be primarily responsible for steering the development and execution of the Order’s long-term strategy, as well as managing the operation of its Belfast headquarters and administration, serving more than 1,100 private lodges.

Due to start his new job shortly, Mr Carlisle said he felt “honoured” to have been appointed to the post, explaining his family have been involved with the institution for generations.

“I have always had a keen interest in Orange culture and history,” he said. “I look forward to working with the officers and members as collectively we continue the process of developing the institution, ensuring its sustainability and relevance, both today and in the future. The wider Orange family has an important role in Ulster society.

“Our network of Orange halls provide valuable community facilities and the musical traditions associated with the institution engage thousands of young people with the arts on a weekly basis.

“These and other important facets of our institution need to be acknowledged, developed and resourced appropriately. I look forward to working towards these goals.”

Orange Grand Master Edward Stevenson congratulated Mr Carlisle on his appointment.

“Iain is an individual of great calibre and experience, who is highly respected both within the Orange fraternity and the wider community,” he said.

“His career background, most notably successfully promoting Ulster-Scots heritage and culture, ensures he is ideally suited to spearhead this exciting new chapter for Grand Lodge.”

Mr Stevenson added: “I have no doubt he will play a pivotal role in ensuring the institution is even more dynamic and proactive in its overall output and outreach, strengthening our status as a major stakeholder in Northern Ireland and the border counties of the Republic.”