FEATURE
NI CHAMBER IN CONVERSATION WITH
Jayne Brady
MBE
Head of The Northern Ireland Civil Service Jayne Brady is head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service. In episode seven of the ‘In Conversation’ podcast, delivered in association with Narratology, Jayne speaks to Mark Devenport about Northern Ireland’s strong investment proposition, embracing innovation to deliver transformation, the opportunities technology presents and developing a framework for new ways of working.
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eflecting on her early career path, Jayne tells listeners, “I was lucky enough to get a scholarship to go to university and that was fortuitous for me. I saw the variety of opportunities technology and innovation could offer and how they could deliver better business outcomes and address different pathways for people who haven’t had those pathways before, in a societal aspect.” During the episode, Jayne discusses her career progression and experience in the private sector. “My background has been predominantly in the private sector. Out of the last 27 years, I have spent 26 years in technology and innovation businesses. One third of that time was spent in large multinationals which have invested in Northern Ireland. Then a third within start-up ecosystems, growing teams and delivering new, innovative products and solutions. I spent seven years in a venture capital fund, developing investment strategy for Northern Ireland and
investing in technology-based companies across the island of Ireland. I was a partner in the fund, sourcing those deals, securing investment and supporting companies as they grew.
Jayne shares how the pandemic has been a period of adversity but also opportunity, as well as the changes it has brought to how the Civil Service does its job.
“The last 18 months were with Belfast City Council. My role was as Belfast digital innovation commissioner. I was chair of the Digital Pillar of the City Deal and led the investment strategy for the digital pillar as well.
“There are a number of different areas where the Civil Service has adapted. One of the key aspects is how we embrace innovation and technology, as well as data and digital. Technology and data sectors have flourished and shown us there is a strong opportunity to double down on those areas.
“I think all those areas in my background, from business, innovation and delivery are really valuable skillsets for me to bring into Northern Ireland Civil Service.” Jayne explains the strong investment proposition Northern Ireland has and how her role fits into an ambitious strategy. “Northern Ireland has a very strong investment proposition to make in terms of skills, the resilience of our people, core technologies and areas of further development. But that requires a joint approach and those big issues that we have to address in terms of economic inactivity, green growth and tackling health inequalities, requires a wholegovernment approach. “That’s what I saw in my role, not just to come with an administrative focus, but how can we build an ambitious strategy for Northern Ireland for the next 10 years. What I am here to do is deliver on the ambitious programme for what we can be in the next 10 years.”
“An area within that is how we find a measured way to embrace risk. With some of the issues that the Civil Service has been through, we could adopt a riskadverse culture. But that would stifle the opportunity to deliver better outcomes. We want the service to have the ability to innovate while ensuring that the structures and governance frameworks that we have in place allow and celebrate a risk-based culture.” Jayne addresses the targets set in terms of the regional economy, including moving almost 20,000 people away from economic inactivity and into jobs. “Over the last number of years we had a level of 27.2% economic inactivity, the highest of all the regions, but also significantly high globally. “If we look at it in a totality, for us to get to a position of a balanced economy we need to deliver about a £12billion GVA over the next 10 years. That can’t be solely done by investing in high-
IN ASSOCIATION WITH NARRATOLOGY About Narratology Narratology Executive Search is a boutique headhunting firm appointing leaders to C-Suite, director, senior manager and board positions. Our expertise in managing bespoke executive recruitment solutions spans across industry sectors including manufacturing, agri-food, engineering, construction, technology, banking, insurance, legal and professional services, healthcare, retail and wider business services. We have successfully delivered for clients from multinationals, PLCs and NI Top 100 to family-owned firms, SMEs and start-ups, introducing key executives to make individual impact and strengthen existing leadership teams. Narratology understands the sensitivity and discretion required in approaching often complex assignments and in engaging with senior-level candidates. We are committed to successful outcomes and a positive experience for all. We have the capability to recruit for corporate and industry-specific specialisms for roles in Northern Ireland and further afield, with the local understanding to truly appreciate our clients and their cultures. For further information please contact Ruth McDonald MD at r.mcdonald@narratologyexec.com or on 028 9044 6336
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