Public Affairs Forum

NI Chamber Launches New Public A airs Forum

Gillian McAuley (President, NI Chamber), Julian Smith MP, Michael McKinstry (Phoenix Natural Gas) and Stuart Anderson (NI Chamber).

NI Chamber has launched a new Public Affairs forum, designed to help member businesses stay abreast of what political developments at local, national and international level mean for businesses in Northern Ireland.

Delivered in partnership with Phoenix Natural Gas, the fi rst event took place in September, when the guest speaker was former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Julian Smith CBE MP.

Facilitated by NI Chamber’s Head of Public Affairs Stuart Anderson, the series provides an exclusive opportunity for NI Chamber members to get a business-focused synopsis which helps them to understand the direct implications of the political landscape for their own organisations.

Announcing the new series, Ann McGregor, Chief Executive, NI Chamber said:

“The public affairs landscape is becoming increasingly complex, which has signifi cant implications for businesses. Understanding precisely what’s happening at local and international level is really important for fi rms of all sizes and recently, we’ve experienced a big increase in demand for our services in this area. That’s refl ective of the impact of soaring cost pressures, infl ation, interest rate rises, labour and supply chain issues. In that context and in the continuing absence of a local Executive, this new series is set to be really important over the coming months.”

Michael McKinstry, Chief Executive, Phoenix Natural Gas added:

“The decarbonisation of our economy is of central importance to us at Phoenix, and the successful delivery of this ambition, like many key future economic growth opportunities, is dependent on successful collaboration across the political and business spheres.

“That’s why we are pleased to be a partner to the NI Chamber in the provision of this new Public Affairs Forum and we look forward to seeing the constructive outcomes from the engagement it facilitates between the business community and political policy and decision makers.”

International Champions to Support Global Business Growth

NI Chamber and its International Champions Queen’s University and Eversheds Sutherland have launched a series of events and initiatives designed to help local companies grow their international footprint over the next 12 months. Tanya Anderson, Head of Business Support and International at NI Chamber explains:

“The support of our International Champions enables NI Chamber to provide technical expertise, training and advice specifi c to the needs of companies in Northern Ireland. That is critical as we work to help local fi rms grow globally. Recently, we’ve been delighted to welcome Eversheds Sutherland as a new International Champion. As a leading law fi rm, they’ll bring a wealth of expertise to our international offering, which will benefi t members enormously. Together with Queen’s University and our own team of in-house experts, it makes for a really worthwhile partnership.”

Alan Connell, Managing Partner, Eversheds Sutherland, said:

“Eversheds Sutherland is delighted to become the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce’s International Champion. As the largest and most established international law fi rm on the island of Ireland, our clients and partners based in Northern Ireland benefi t from the wider global offering and local expertise of Eversheds Sutherland.

“Providing quality, innovation and consistency in service delivery around the globe from over 70 offi ces in more than 30 countries, Eversheds Sutherland combines local legal knowledge with global reach. Our team of locally based lawyers in Northern Ireland understand the challenges and complexities which internationally focused clients face in terms of people, regulation, standards, data, and more. Whether it’s an employment, litigation, fi nancial services, tax or property issue, Eversheds Sutherland is ready to support and advise businesses and organisations to ensure success.

“We are looking forward to working directly with the Chamber’s members over the next 12 months through the International Champions series and to help more Northern Irish businesses trade seamlessly and successfully across the world.”

Alistair Stewart, Head of Public Engagement at Queen’s University Belfast added:

“Queen’s has been a proud patron and International Champion for many years and I am delighted that we will continue to strengthen our longstanding relationship with the Chamber and its members in 2022/2023.

“Fostering international partnerships and creating a diverse and inclusive campus are core to our mission as a local and global university. We currently have more than 120 global partnerships and we are forging further alliances with leading institutions in the USA, the Middle East and Asia, particularly in China, and India.

“We look forward to drawing on our local knowledge, national expertise and global presence to help local businesses at whatever stage of the journey they are at and wherever they are located.”

Lynsey Foster (NI Chamber), Joanne Mallon (Queen’s University), Alan Connell (Eversheds Ireland), Alistair Stewart (Queen’s University) and Tanya Anderson (NI Chamber).