

Donna Knowles as been appointed as the new head of the Northern Ireland transport regulation unit, replacing the retiring Donald Armstrong (pictured) at the end of the month.
The appointment of Knowles, who joins from the Department of Justice, was revealed at the Freight Transport Association’s transport manager conference in Belfast yesterday (27 March).
FTA policy and membership relations manager for Northern Ireland Seamus Leheny said: “[Knowles] being here today is a clear indication that she is keen to become engaged with our industry and members alike, and we look forward to working with her in the future.”
Armstrong, a career civil servant, oversaw the introduction of the new Transport Regulation Unit (TRU) in the province four years ago and later became the head of the unit.
TRU, which became operational in July 2012, has succeeded in registering and bringing more than 4,000 own-account operators in Northern Ireland into the O-licensing system.
Previously, only hire or reward operators in Northern Ireland were required to have an O-licence.