Agency's New Chief Executive

The Ulster-Scots Agency has appointed George Patton as its new chief executive. 

Mr Patton, 46, takes up his appointment on June 2, and he will become the Agency's first permanent chief executive in its three and a half year existence.

He will be responsible for leading the Agency's development of the Ulster-Scots language and culture and will report to the board under the chairmanship of Lord Laird of Artigarvan.

George Patton is currently executive officer with the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, where he has been working for the past 16 years.  He has been at the centre of the development of the Orange cultural centre and extensive archive at the Schomberg House headquarters in Belfast over the last two years and for the organisation's entire administration financial functions.

Lord Laird welcomed the appointment and he said the Ulster-Scots movement had a very bright future.

"We are delighted with this appointment and believe that George Patton's past professional experience will greatly further the Agency's prospects in all aspects."

Mr Patton, from Scarva, Co Down, has been involved in the creation of Aughlish Ulster-Scots group in his private capacity and he said he looks forward to learning the Ulster-Scots language and dialect in his new position. 

"I think it is very important as the new chief executive to have a good appreciation of the language as the development progresses over the years and I will be learning it," he said.

"Scarva where I was born and bred, would not be the strongest area where the language has remained, so I'm looking forward to increasing my knowledge from a "wheen o wuirds" to a lot more - hopefully when my local Ulster-Scots group runs a course later this year."

Mr Patton intends to remain an Orangeman, having joined the Order as a junior member, aged 10.

He holds a degree in business administration and history from Queen's University and is married with four children, aged 21 to 13.  He previously worked in the personnel department of the Southern Education and Library Board in Armagh.

Apart from his interest in local cultural issues, he is also known for his work in youth development.  He is an avid soccer fan, supporting Linfield, Rangers and Manchester City.