Norman Houston, Director of the Bureau

Norman Houston’s post prior to being appointed as Director of the Northern Ireland Bureau was Head of Tourism Policy at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment in Belfast.

He was responsible for all policy and legislative issues for two major tourism agencies: the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and Tourism Ireland, the cross-border agency which markets both parts of the island in Great Britain and overseas. Norman has extensive experience in cross-border work through his involvement with the North South Ministerial Council and the International Fund for Ireland where he chaired the cross-border tourism committee.

In addition Norman was the Northern Ireland Representative to the British Irish Council’s Tourism Working group which brought him into direct contact with eight administrations across the UK and Ireland.

A career civil servant, Norman has worked in various posts including leading a review which looked at the development needs of the Senior Civil Service. From 1987 to 1998 he worked at the Industrial Development Board where he had responsibility for International Promotion and Trade Development. From 1998 to 2002 Norman was Deputy Director of the Northern Ireland Bureau.

A native of East Antrim, Norman now lives in Comber, Co.Down. He has a First Class Honors Degree in Modern History.