NI Chamber Momentum Conference

Momentum is Northern Ireland’s premier economic conference, bringing together leaders, policymakers and industry experts to shape the future of the region's economy.

This year’s theme, delivering Momentum in an uncertain world and aligning with the Programme for Government, will explore the key pillars for driving economic prosperity, including:

Exports: Expanding market reach and seizing global opportunities
Innovation: Harnessing new ideas, technology and talent to stay ahead
Investment: Attracting capital and creating an environment for sustainable growth

Join us - Thursday, 3 April, at The Great Hall, Galgorm - in partnership with Ulster Bank, BT, ESB, and Ulster University- for this unmissable conference. It will be packed with strategic discussions, expert insights and high-value networking as we work towards a globally competitive and sustainable economy in Northern Ireland.

Momentum Conference event agenda

8:00 AM	Registration and Networking / Breakfast
8:30 AM	Welcome: Naomi McMullan, Conference Host, InterTradeIreland Opening Remarks: Suzanne Wylie, CEO, NI Chamber
8:40 AM	Economy Minister Address: Dr Caoimhe Archibald, Economy Minister
9:00 AM	Reflections on the Minister's Address Chaired by Stuart Anderson, Director of Public Affairs and International Relations, NI Chamber John Healy, Chair, InvestNI Ian Snowden, Permanent Secretary, Department for the Economy Ashleen Feeney, Chair of Competitiveness Committee, NI Chamber, Partner, KPMG
9:25 AM	Economic Outlook: Sebastian Burnside, Chief Economist, NatWest Group
10:00 AM	Panel Session: Innovating to Drive Competitiveness Chaired by Naomi McMullan, InterTradeIreland Prof. Jodie Carson, Professor of Strategic Policy, Ulster University Prof. Helen McCarthy, Chief Scientific and Technology Advisor, NI Executive Sam Turner, CEO, Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC) Mark O'Flaherty, MD for Data and AI, BT Group
10:35 AM	Headline Sponsor Remarks: Nigel Walsh, Director of Commercial Banking, Ulster Bank
10:45 AM	Tea, Coffee and Networking
11:15 AM	Panel Session: Strategic Investment for Sustainable Growth and Connectivity Chaired by Naomi McMullan, InterTradeIreland David Fry, Head of Public Affairs, Construction Employers Federation Andrew Webb, Chief Economist, Grant Thornton NI Daniel Owens, CEO, Belfast International Airport Gary Connolly, Head of UK Offshore Wind Development, ESB
11:50 PM	Panel Session: Selling to the World Chaired by Naomi McMullan, InterTradeIreland Anne Beggs, Director of Trade and Investment, Invest NI Nick Clark, Transaction Banking Business Lead, NatWest Bank Jonathan Walsh, Director, Fortior Insight
12:20 PM	Keynote Address: How to Deliver Inclusive Growth: Andy Haldane, Chief Executive, Royal Society of Arts and former Chief Economist, Bank of England
12:50 PM	Closing Remarks: Cat McCusker, President, NI Chamber, Partner, PwC
1:00 PM	Lunch

Suzanne Wylie

Chief Executive, NI Chamber

Suzanne Wylie is Chief Executive of NI Chamber, a leading membership organisation representing over 1,000 businesses in all sectors across the region.

Previously, she held significant leadership roles in public services for over 15 years, including as Chief Executive to the Jersey Government and prior to that, as Chief Executive of Belfast City Council.

During her first year in the role, she grew NI Chamber into one of the top performing Chambers in the UK when it won British Chambers of Commerce Chamber of the Year.

A strong advocate for business innovation, she is passionate about helping Northern Ireland’s economy and the businesses within it to maximise their growth potential. She is deeply embedded in businesses issues, working closely with NI Chamber members and policy makers to establish the optimum conditions for economic growth. She is personally involved with helping member companies in high-growth sectors to capitalise on unique opportunities, including through unique international partnerships.

As well as being the Chair of Eastside Partnership, Suzanne is a member of the Board of Choice Housing, a Council member of Dublin Chamber and sits on the HSC Transformation Advisory Board. She was awarded an OBE, received an honorary doctorate from Queen’s University where she also completed her MBA and is a Fellow of the Institute of Directors.

Stuart Anderson

Director of Public Affairs and International Relations

Stuart leads NI Chamber’s direct interactions with politicians, helping to shape the legislative agenda and supporting elected representatives to create the right conditions for business and economic growth.

He works directly with NI Chamber members in all sectors, identifying their challenges and bringing forward their ideas as part of a collaborative approach between industry and policymakers. A qualified lawyer, he is also the current Convenor of the Northern Ireland Business Brexit Working Group.

Dr Caoimhe Archibald

Minister for the Economy

Dr Caoimhe Archibald MLA was appointed Economy Minister on 3 February 2025. Previous to this, Caoimhe served as Finance Minister from February 2024.

Caoimhe grew up in Coleraine. She attended Loreto College, Coleraine and graduated from Queen’s University, Belfast with a BSc in Molecular Biology and a PhD by research with a Department of Agriculture and Rural Development studentship. She also completed a Postgraduate diploma in Management & Corporate Governance at Ulster University.

Caoimhe was elected as an MLA for East Derry in May 2016 and was re-elected in March 2017 and again in May 2022.

She is formerly Chair of the Assembly’s Economy and Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs committees.

Prior to being elected in May 2016, Caoimhe had worked for almost a decade in applied horticulture and plant pathology research including on collaborative EU-funded projects.

Andy Haldane

Chief Executive Officer, Royal Society of Arts and former Chief Economist, Bank of England

Andrew was formerly Chief Economist at the Bank of England and a member of the Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee.

He was the Permanent Secretary for Levelling Up at the Cabinet Office from September 2021 to March 2022. Currently, Andrew is CEO of the Royal Society of Arts.

Alongside this, Andrew is the Vice-Chair of the charity National Numeracy and is contributing editor at the Financial Times and Chief Economic Advisor at PwC.

Nigel Walsh

Director of Commercial Banking NI, Ulster Bank

Nigel began his banking career in 1994 after studying Accounting, Banking & Finance; followed by a MSc in Computers.

He began his Banking career in Corporate Banking at Bank of Ireland in Dublin and worked across a range of functions over the subsequent 15 years across the Island of Ireland for the BOI Group along with time with Sovereign Bank in Boston Massachusetts.

Moving to Ulster Bank in 2008, he has undertaken a range of roles across Commercial and Business Banking in addition to setting up and heading up the Sectors & Specialised Business Teams for the Island of Ireland. He is Certified under the Institute of Directors and currently sits as a Board Director of Food NI.

Nigel has been a Board Member of Ulster Banks Regional Board in NI; in addition to having been a Council Member of the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry. His current role is the Director of Commercial Banking for Ulster Bank in Northern Ireland.

Panel Two: Innovating to Drive Competitiveness

The discussion will examine how City and Growth Deals can drive innovation for businesses in Northern Ireland, showcasing practical solutions and success stories that foster continuous innovation.

It will look at how the NI Executive can leverage these opportunities to stimulate economic growth. Speakers will highlight the role of advanced manufacturing, AI, and research partnerships in strengthening Northern Ireland’s competitive advantage.

What will you get out of this panel discussion?

Attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of Northern Ireland's innovation ecosystem, learning how City and Growth Deals can be leveraged to drive business transformation, with practical strategies for integrating advanced manufacturing, AI, and research partnerships into competitive business models.

Panel Three: Strategic Investment for Sustainable Growth and Connectivity

This session will analyse the economic impact of water and wastewater investment, showcasing Belfast Harbour's recent investment in driving transformative growth for tourism, hospitality and green energy sectors.

Panellists will address how planning reform and enhanced connectivity can further sustainable development while tackling urgent infrastructure challenges.

The discussion will highlight solution-oriented approaches that ensure long-term economic and environmental benefits.

What will you get out of this panel discussion?

This panel will equip participants with critical insights into sustainable infrastructure development, showcasing how strategic investments can simultaneously drive economic growth, enhance environmental sustainability, and create new opportunities across tourism, hospitality, and green energy sectors.

Panel Four: Selling to the World

This session will focus on Northern Ireland’s core competitive advantages and the need for a clear economic and trade strategy.

Speakers will discuss how we can support businesses to scale internationally, overcome trade barriers and leverage support from agencies. The focus is on practical steps that boost export success and global competitiveness of Northern Ireland.

What will you get out of this panel discussion?

Participants will receive a comprehensive toolkit for international business expansion, learning how to overcome trade barriers, leverage support mechanisms, and develop strategies that position Northern Ireland's businesses for global success and increased competitiveness.