Harold Henning elected as new grand master

The Orange Order has elected a new leader for the first time in more than a decade.

Harold Henning, 64, from an Orange lodge in Rathfriland, County Down, has taken over as grand master from Edward Stevenson, who had held the position since 2011.

Traditionally, the Orange Order changes leader infrequently and Mr Henning is only the 21st grand master in the institution’s 230-year history.

The role is not as high profile as it was in the 1990s when disputes over parade routes often made headlines.

Mr Stevenson did not do many media interviews. Instead, Grand Secretary the Rev Mervyn Gibson has become the order’s most prominent spokesperson in recent years.

In a statement, Mr Henning said he felt “humbled” at being chosen as grand master.

He said: “The Orange institution plays a central role in the life of many local communities, and I am committed to ensuring the organisation continues to grow and develop in the years ahead.”

In an interview with the Belfast Telegraph in 2016, he said the best advice he had been given was “don’t go looking for trouble, it will always come”.

In his spare time he said he liked watching sport on TV and his favourite book was the Bible. He said he had it downloaded on his smartphone so that it was always with him.

Mr Henning is married with two sons.