NI Chamber News

Pictured are Christopher Morrow, Head of Communications and Policy at NI Chamber and Olivia Stewart, Communications Manager at NI Chamber.

Businesses Invited to Enter NI Chamber Awards

Businesses across the province are invited to submit their entries to the NI Chamber Business Awards. With five categories, including a new one specifically celebrating green business initiatives, the awards recognise and reward Northern Ireland’s leading exporters, entrepreneurs and companies which prioritise diversity and inclusion. Category winners will go on to represent Northern Ireland at the British Chambers of Commerce national awards ceremony in December.

The categories are The Planet Saver, a new category rewarding sustainable best practice; The Game Changer, recognising an entrepreneur who has transformed an idea into a successful, sustainable business; The Global Player, celebrating a business that has grown significantly internationally; The Problem Solver, for businesses which have transformed a product/service or the market they operate in and The Equality Trailblazer, open to any organisation which champions diversity and promotes inclusion.

Encouraging member businesses to submit their entries before the deadline on Monday 27 September, Christopher Morrow, Head of Communications and Policy at NI Chamber said:

“Entering the Chamber Business Awards is an ideal way for our members to earn recognition for the innovative projects and new business wins they have been working on, even in the most challenging of circumstances. More than ever, businesses deserve to be celebrated for what they have achieved. These awards are open to member organisations working across all sectors of the economy and we look forward to receiving their entries soon.”

The Chamber Business Awards are open to all NI Chamber members and are free for them to enter. Nomination forms can be downloaded from the NI Chamber website and should be returned on or before the submission deadline, which is 5pm on Monday 27 September 2021. Winners will be announced on Monday 4 October 2021.

NI Chamber Champion to Lift Trophy at Annual Golf Day

NI Chamber is set to host its popular Annual Golf Day on Friday 17 September, in partnership with Forde May Consulting.

Over 100 members of the business community will tee off at NI Chamber’s first in person event of 2021, which is taking place at the prestigious Malone Golf Club. The golf day is designed for NI Chamber members to build networks and make connections in a relaxed setting, whilst competing to win the coveted Forde May Perpetual Golf Challenge Trophy. The perpetual cup honours the late Dr Forde May who founded the executive recruitment company in Belfast over 20 years ago. It has grown to become Northern Ireland’s longest standing executive recruitment company. The NI Chamber Annual Golf Day is currently sold out and a waiting list is in place. To be added to the reserve list, please contact Eva.Toal@northernirelandchamber.com

Pictured (L-R) are Valerie Reid (Director, Forde May Consulting), Ann McGregor (Chief Executive, NI Chamber) and Gerry May (Managing Director, Forde May Consulting).

Conference to Host a Perfect Blend of Digital and Business Leaders

Transformative leadership and digital innovation are set to be the key topics of conversation at NI Chamber’s upcoming Annual Conference. The event, which is supported by headline sponsor Dublin Airport and supporting sponsor, Belfast City Council, takes place online on Wednesday 15 September between 10am12 noon. It is free to attend and business people from across Northern Ireland are invited to register now. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn from Jason Spencer, Business Development Director at ITV, who will share transferable insights into innovation and growth. Colin McClean, Founder and Managing Director of coffee chain Bob & Berts will discuss the company’s growth story and how it has embraced digital diversification. There will also be an opportunity to hear from Helen Houghton and Jo-Ann Feely, AMS who will cover the emerging trends in talent acquisition and what is now important to the workforce. This will be complemented by insights from

Colin McClean (Bob & Berts), Louise Turley (NI Chamber) and Councillor George Dorrian (Belfast City Council). Celine Doyle (Dublin Airport), Louise Turley (NI Chamber) and Vincent Harrison (Dublin Airport).

Celine Doyle, Head of Human Resources at Dublin Airport, who will discuss trends in hybrid working and what they mean for organisations which prioritise talent retention. The event will be hosted by David Meade.

Vincent Harrison, Managing Director of Headline Sponsor

Dublin Airport commented: “Dublin Airport is delighted to once again be headline Sponsor of the NI Chamber Annual Conference. Northern Ireland is a key market for Dublin Airport and this fantastic event provides a great opportunity to engage with the business community, particularly after the challenges of the last 18 months due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. Wishing the NI Chamber team a successful event and we look forward to a morning of networking, engagement and a great line up of speakers.”

AWARE Nominated Charity of the Year

NI Chamber has announced AWARE as its nominated Charity of the Year.

Over the past ten years, NI Chamber has raised over £120,000 for local charities including Samaritans, NI Hospice, Prince’s Trust and Age NI. This year, NI Chamber President Paul Murnaghan has pledged his support to AWARE, which delivers mental health support, outreach and wellbeing programmes for people right across Northern Ireland.

Announcing the chosen charity, Paul Murnaghan said:

“It’s important that that the role of NI Chamber President supports not only businesses but also society generally. That is why the Charity of the Year partnership is so important.

“AWARE does outstanding work for people and families across Northern Ireland and its services play a crucial role in supporting with depression. I am very proud to lend my support to the charity and there will be a number of opportunities for NI Chamber members to do the same, throughout the year.”

NI Chamber’s Annual Golf Day will host the first fundraising activity as part of the new partnership. Ahead of the event, Clare Galbraith, Head of Fundraising at AWARE NI said:

“We are delighted to have been selected as the newest NI Chamber President’s Charity. With the organisation of their Annual Golf Day on 17 September, the team have already made a great start to what we predict to be a very successful partnership between AWARE NI and NI Chamber. We look forward to working together over the next year to raise vital funds and awareness for mental health services here in Northern Ireland.”

NI Chamber Chief Executive Ann McGregor (left) and President Paul Murnaghan (centre) with Clare Galbraith, Head of Fundraising at AWARE NI (right).