The Final Word

As the year draws to a close, this is a natural time for reflection on what the last 12 months have meant for our business community. 2021, for all its challenges and difficulties, has shown what can be achieved when businesses, elected representatives, and communities work together to deliver for local people. No more is this true than in the North West, where the true value of collaborative action has been shown through the likes of the City Deal the University expansion and other major investment projects. Since rejoining the Chamber Board almost two years ago, I have continued to be both impressed and enthused by the desire and determination of business leaders here to drive meaningful and real improvement for the North West. I am a firm believer that the success of any business, large or small, depends on the community that supports it. By combining our expertise, our energy, and our resources, we can build an economy that not only drives local entrepreneurship and indigenous growth but encourages other international companies to invest here. I have been a Director with CavanaghKelly, Chartered Accountants, since 2018. Since joining the firm, I have witnessed significant growth and expansion in the range of services we deliver for our clients in the private, public and community and voluntary sectors. My role straddles the advisory and audit teams. I lead our developing internal audit team, providing advice and assurance on governance, risk management

The Final and control issues to public sector and charitable organisations. I also play a lead role within our advisory team, focusing on reviewing performance, future planning and implementing change. Word Over the years, I have worked with charities, community groups and public sector organisations, helping them plan and develop strategies that will deliver vital services for local communities here. This is a role that involves developing joined-up, strategic approaches to achieve meaningful, real, and tangible results. While my work focuses on Steven Lindsay, Director, CavanaghKelly micro-level projects, it is these grassroots initiatives that will truly improve and further build the North West City Region in future years. I have worked with community led health improvement organisations in the North West and beyond, and have seen the tangible differences these are making for local people – much of which has been brought to the fore in the last 18 months. Earlier this year, we worked on a project with local employers, training providers and Derry City and Strabane District Council to help gain a clearer picture of apprenticeship provision in the Council area and make recommendations for future developments in this important area. Our skills base and the health and wellbeing of the people in our region are key components of a successful economy. The spirit of collaboration that we see on a local level must be replicated on a regional level if we are to truly progress. Whether it is the close links between the Derry and Letterkenny Chambers, emerging relationships between our universities and further and higher educational colleges, or business partnerships working towards common goals, our success in the North West hinges on everyone playing their part. As we rebuild and recover from the pandemic, a new, fresh, and innovative way of thinking must be put in place if we are to face current and future challenges head-on. Looking ahead to 2022, it is important to consider how we continue to focus on building our economy. By doing this as individuals and working in silos we will fail to address the systemic challenges we all face. If we identify our strengths and build on these together, we will truly unlock the true potential that the North West economy has.