Momentum
Bringing together leaders, policymakers, and industry experts, Momentum is Northern Ireland’s premier economic conference, dedicated to shaping the future of the region's economy. Hosted by Naomi McMullan, Former Broadcaster & Communications Team, InterTradeIreland, this year’s theme is 'Thinking Globally'.
Join us, Wednesday 22 April, 8.00 AM - 2.00 PM, The Great Hall, Galgorm, Ballymena.
View the full agenda here.
Your Momentum Conference Speakers
Peter Foster
World Trade Editor, Financial Times
Peter's brief is to report on the shifting landscape of global supply chains, investment and trade patterns being reorientated as a result of pressures being applied by the second Trump administration.
Previously, Peter was the UK policy editor, reporting on the UK’s post-Brexit trade, regulatory and investment environment.
'Economic Shifts and What They Mean for Northern Ireland'
At this year's Momentum, Peter will discuss current international economic conditions and what these shifts could mean for Northern Ireland's future prosperity.
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 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.
Sebastian Burnside
Chief Economist
NatWest Group
Sebastian Burnside joined the bank in 2009, has been Chief Economist of NatWest Group since 2018 and is a trustee of the group’s pension scheme.
His areas of interest include the economics of net zero, adapting to an ageing society and the microanalysis of customer behaviour.
Nigel Walsh
Director of Commercial Banking NI
Ulster Bank
Nigel began his banking career in 1994 after studying Accounting, Banking & Finance, followed by an MSc in Computers.
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.
Panels and Panellists
World Leading Innovation
The ‘World‑Leading Innovation’ panel will examine how Northern Ireland can drive productivity growth and create high‑value jobs by strengthening innovation clusters, translating research into commercial impact, and adopting international best practice to boost competitiveness through innovation.
Marina Donohoe
Chief Executive
QUBIS
George Maybury
Head of Public Sector, Ireland and NI
Microsoft
Dr Adrian Johnston MBE
Innovation Commissioner
Innovation City Belfast
Michal Voyno
Head of Delivery
Netcompany
Lessons from Across the Globe on Public Sector Reform
This panel will explore international best practice and the practical reforms Northern Ireland could adopt to deliver faster planning and infrastructure, more effective regulation and procurement, and digital, data-driven public services that better support business growth.
Judith Savage
Consulting Partner
EY Northern Ireland
Gareth Hetherington Director of Economic Policy Centre
Ulster University Economic Policy Centre
Ed Stainton
Managing Director - Public Sector, Defence & CNI
BT
Micaela Diver
Partner
A&L Goodbody
Trading Globally - Trade, Access, and Opportunity for Northern Ireland Businesses
Informed by global trade best practice, this panel will consider how Northern Ireland businesses can turn international access into growth through improved export readiness, market diversification, and better support on finance, logistics and compliance.
Chris Relf
International Capital Markets
NatWest Group
Lisa Early
Partner
Pinsent Masons
Charlie Merritt
Engagement Lead
Diplomatic Advisory Hub, FCDO, & BCC
Anne Beggs
Chief Commercial Officer
Invest NI
8:00 am Registration, Networking, Tea/Coffee
8:50 am Welcome
Naomi McMullan, InterTradeIreland
8:55 am Opening Remarks
Suzanne Wylie, CEO, NI Chamber
9:10 am Economy Minister Address
Dr Caoimhe Archibald, Economy Minister
9:20 am Economic Outlook
Sebastian Burnside, Chief Economist, NatWest Group
9:50 am Headline Sponsor Address
Nigel Walsh, Director of Commercial Banking, Ulster Bank
10:00 am Panel Session: Lessons from Across the Globe on Public Sector Reform
Chaired by Naomi McMullan, InterTradeIreland
10:30 am Tea, Coffee and Networking
11:15 am Panel Session: World Leading Innovation
Chaired by Naomi McMullan, InterTradeIreland
11:45 am Exporting: the opportunity for NI businesses
Anne Beggs, Chief Commercial Officer, Invest NI
11:50 am Panel Session: Trading Globally: Trade, Access, and Opportunity for Northern Ireland Businesses
Chaired by Naomi McMullan, InterTradeIreland
12:20 pm Global Economic Shifts and What They Mean for Northern Ireland
Peter Foster, World Trade Editor, Financial Times
Q&A with Peter Foster, Chaired by Stuart Anderson, Director of Public Affairs and International Relations, NI Chamber
1:00 pm Closing Remarks
Kailash Chada, NI Chamber President
1:05 pm Networking Lunch
Our Event Partners
Headline Sponsor
Ulster Bank
Ulster Bank supports people, families and businesses across Northern Ireland with all their banking needs. Community is at the heart of what we do.
It’s why we champion local causes like Give A Day and Do Good Feel Good. And that’s why we’ll do everything we can to help you achieve your plans, your hopes, your dreams. So let us help you get those wheels in motion. Tomorrow begins today.
Learn more about Ulster Bank here.
Supporting Sponsor
BT
We’re one of the world’s leading communications services companies. At BT Group, the solutions we sell are integral to modern life. Our purpose is as simple as it is ambitious: we connect for good.
There are no limits to what people can do when they connect. And as technology changes our world, connections are becoming even more important to everyday life.
Learn more about BT here.
Supporting Sponsor
Pinsent Masons
Pinsent Masons is a multinational professional services business with a robust legal foundation, operating with a clear purpose-led strategy.
The firm prides itself on its commitment to making business work better for people, placing clients and communities at the forefront of its operations.
Learn more about Pinsent Masons here.
Supporting Sponsor
Netcompany
Netcompany is the fastest-growing and most successful IT service company in Northern Europe.
Today, we lead the way with digitalisation in Northern Europe, building modern IT solutions and introducing advanced use of technology for large global customers, side by side in agile teams.
Learn more about Netcompany here.
