The appointment of Sam Foster (65) as a Minister has come as a surprise to most of his colleagues who have watched his career flourish since David Trimble took over as UUP leader.
Previously regarded as a hardliner, Mr Foster is a longstanding member and former chairman of Fermanagh District Council with a reputation for having strong opinions on security. However, under Trimble's leadership he has been a moderating influence in Fermanagh-South Tyrone where he is probably the most prominent Ulster Unionist after local MP Mr Ken Maginnis.
A retired social worker, Mr Foster featured on TV footage of the aftermath of the Enniskillen bomb pulling a badly injured neighbour from the rubble.
