A MESSAGE FROM AMBASSADOR BARNETT FORMER UK AMBASSADOR TO IRELAND

I HAVE ALWAYS FOUND BITA ON THE FRONTFOOT WHEN IT COMES TO PARTNERSHIP.

During my tenure as British Ambassador to Ireland I have been delighted to support you as BITA with your expansion and evolution as a key organisation promoting UK Ireland trade. I have experienced the palpable energy from the BITA network focused on pragmatic solutions to making business better and helping its members do more trade. I have witnessed your network grow in Cork and across Ireland as well as your establishment of multiple chapters in the UK including the North West of England where I was received most warmly by the network on a previous visit.

I have always found BITA on the front foot when it comes to partnership. I recall speaking at a vibrant seminar that you organised shortly after I arrived on how we can mutually support our burgeoning fintech industries in 2017 with a healthy mix of businesses, politicians and strategists all united in building clusters. And my Embassy trade team have engaged in several initiatives with BITA including a major construction summit in Manchester 2018 covering over 100 businesses seeking business deals, our trade missions to the UK on cyber security and agritech and in our broader alliance building work between companies across a wide range of sectors. BITA can undoubtedly see the bigger picture and as part of our joint construction mission you helpfully reached out to your wider network and friends in Trafford, Manchester, a very special place for me as the home of my beloved Man United football team.

One of my fondest times in Ireland during my tenure has been visiting The National Ploughing Championships, which of course has enabled me to make many new friends and associates from across rural Ireland. I was delighted that BITA signed up as a partner with the Embassy for our inaugural UK Ireland Agritech Hub at The Ploughing 2019. BITA’s willingness to collaborate with us in new areas, and whatever the challenge. This was evident again recently when BITA stepped up to the plate in supporting Ireland and the UK identify suppliers of critical medical supplies to help us all in the initial stages of the pandemic response when the unprecedented scale and severity of the crisis unfolded.

I wish to thank Paul Whitnell in particular for his leadership and commitment to growing trade and giving life to your motto of “People who know People”. I have enjoyed working with Paul, Enda, Justin, Richard, Sarah, Aidan and Aine and other BITA colleagues over the years and want to thank BITA for bringing businesses together, for uniting around the possible and for demonstrating my belief that business will search out the opportunity in every situation. I wish you all well in your future ventures where I and am confident you will continue to play an important role in the bilateral relationship - building trade across all sectors.

BITA would like to thank Robin Barnett for his incredible and consistent support and involvement in our organisation. It is only with the excellent support we have received that we have managed to grow so much as an organisation in the last few years and are able to help encourage trade and business growth. We wish him the best for a relaxing and enjoyable retirement!