NI Chamber's President's Banquet Event
The NI Chamber President’s Banquet is the pinnacle of NI Chamber’s programme of events. It's a prestigious black-tie dinner, attended by 1,000 guests from the business community and senior officials from NI Government.
2024's President's Banquet saw the theme ‘Beyond Imagination’ and featured host Alex Jones, Co-Host of BBC's The One Show and star guest actor, comedian and author David Walliams.
Throughout the production, we asked business leaders in the room to imagine what the Northern Ireland of the future should look like and hope to inspire them to take action to create it by design. We brought this to life through the examples of globally-leading companies based in Northern Ireland who are already excelling in the growth sectors of the future, including med-tech, green-tech, pharmaceuticals, agri-food and more.
At the event, we heard from Paul Murnaghan, NI Regional Director from BT Enterprise, our Headline Partner, the Economy Minister, Conor Murphy MLA and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly MLA, the NI Chamber President, Cat McCusker, NI Chamber President and Regional Market Leader at PwC, and NI Chamber's CEO, Suzanne Wylie.
If you joined this prestigious Northern Ireland event, we hope you enjoyed it, and for those who couldn't make it, we will see you next year!
President's Banquet Event Programme
7:10 PM: Welcome: Alex Jones, Co-Host, The One Show
Interview with Communications Partner
- Suzanne Wylie, CEO, NI Chamber of Commerce
- Paul Murnaghan, Regional Director, BT Enterprise NI
Ministerial Speeches
President's Address
- Cat McCusker, President, NI Chamber
8:00 PM: Dinner is Served
10:00 PM: Alex Jones in Conversation with David Walliams
10:50 PM: Charity Raffle
11:00 PM: Formalities Close, After Party in Hall #2
12:30 AM: Bar Close
1:00 AM: Event Close
President's Banquet Hosts and Speaker
Event Speaker
David Walliams
Author, Actor and Comedian
Comedian, author, presenter, and actor David Walliams has been one of Britain’s best-loved entertainers since the ‘90s.
Alongside Matt Lucas, David created and starred in the sketch comedy Little Britain, which won three BAFTA awards and has gone on to air in over 100 countries. That was followed by one of the most-watched comedies of all time on British television, Come Fly With Me.
David was a judge on Britain’s Got Talent for ten years and won numerous National TV Awards for Best TV Judge. On film, he has starred in Stardust, Dinner For Schmucks and Murder Mystery. He provided vocals for the Oscar-nominated animation Missing Link.
Alongside his acting and writing, David swam the English Channel in 2006 and the length of the Thames in 2011, raising over £1 million and £2.5 million for Sport Relief respectively.
A best-selling children’s author with 41 titles to his name and global sales exceeding 56 million copies, David’s books have now been translated into 55 languages.
Many of his titles have been adapted for television and the stage including a hugely acclaimed Royal Shakespeare Company musical of The Boy in the Dress. Others are being developed as feature films or animation series.
Event Host
Alex Jones
Co-Host, BBC The One Show
Co-host of the BBC’s flagship show The One Show since 2010, Alex Jones is one of the UK’s best-loved presenters.
Alex has fronted several programmes for the BBC such as Shop Well For Less, Let’s Dance For Comic Relief and the Invictus Games.
She has hosted her own critically acclaimed documentary, Alex Jones – Fertility and Me, and was a part of the BBC team that covered the Royal Wedding in 2018.
Alongside her TV work, Alex authored the best-selling baby book, Winging It, based on her own personal experiences and works actively alongside a number of charities.
Most recently, Alex fronted two new series: Reunion Hotel for BBC Two and Alex Jones – Making Babies for the W Channel.
Event Host
Cat McCusker
President, NI Chamber of Commerce & Industry & Regional Market Leader NI, PwC Northern Ireland
Cat McCusker is the Regional Market Leader in Northern Ireland and the Education Consulting Leader.
The professional services firm employs over 3,700 people in Northern Ireland, which is PwC UK’s fastest-growing region. Its destination workplace in Belfast’s Merchant Square is PwC’s largest regional office outside of London. Cat is particularly passionate about the skills agenda, mental health, ESG and customer-led transformation.
Across her role as the Education Consulting leader, Cat works at a global and local level to help universities reimagine their student and staff experience, bringing people, experience and technology innovation together to help solve some of the firm’s clients’ biggest challenges. Beyond education, she has also worked with major organisations across local government, central government and the police, generating significant cost savings and tangible benefits.
A Message from NI Chamber President, Cat McCusker
On behalf of the Board and Executive team of NI Chamber, it is my absolute pleasure to welcome you to the 2024 President’s Banquet.
This annual event is always one of the highlights of the business calendar and tonight will be no different, with more than 1,000 colleagues and friends gathered to enjoy our biggest ever Banquet.
Since 1783, NI Chamber has been at the epicentre of innovation and enterprise in Northern Ireland. Its founders and past presidents were some of the region’s finest innovators, entrepreneurs and philanthropists; leaders in engineering, banking, linen and shipbuilding, they, like so many of you, had great global ambitions.
This year’s banquet is all about thinking big; looking at how we, as businesspeople, can use our imaginations to identify opportunities that others may overlook, to challenge the status quo, lift our sights and raise our ambition.
We want tonight to be about positivity for the future. It is intended to be a demonstration of collective commitment that we will all put our shoulders to the wheel, alongside our politicians, to create what we know is possible – a globally competitive and sustainable economy, where all our people can thrive.
Great occasions such as these are made possible with the help of our sponsors and we are grateful for their support. They include NI Chamber’s Communications Partner BT and this evening’s supporting sponsors ABL Group, Barclays, Mattioli Woods and Tughans, as well as drinks reception sponsor Vanrath, Media Partner, Bauer Media Group and drinks providers Diageo and Jawbox.
On an evening like this, it is also right that we thank our twenty Chamber Patrons for their ongoing support. They are Agnew Leasing, Balcas, Belfast International Airport, Caterpillar, Danske Bank, Eakin Healthcare, Encirc, Galgorm Resort & Spa, Henry Group, Legacy Wealth Management, Moy Park, Narratology, Pinsent Masons, Power NI, PwC NI, Queen’s University Belfast, Randox, Ulster Bank, Ulster Carpets and Ulster University Business School.
This night is designed to be a celebration of the possible, of the future. We believe that businesspeople across Northern Ireland deserve to be commended for the brilliant ideas they are bringing to the world and for the hugely positive message they send about Northern Ireland as a place to do business.
So for tonight, as gather in the company of our imaginative, innovative and most creative colleagues and friends, let us enjoy doing just that.
Have a wonderful evening.
Event Host
Suzanne Wylie
Chief Executive, Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Suzanne Wylie, appointed Chief Executive of NI Chamber in August 2023, brings extensive leadership experience from roles in the Jersey Government and Belfast City Council.
Her achievements include securing the £1bn Belfast City Region Deal, developing the Belfast-Dublin Economic Corridor, and chairing Innovation City Belfast.
Suzanne is committed to boosting Northern Ireland's economy and fostering business innovation. She holds an OBE, an honorary doctorate from Queen's University Belfast, an MBA, and is a fellow of the Institute of Directors.
President's Banquet Communications Partner
Paul Murnaghan
NI Regional Director, BT Enterprise & Past President NI Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Appointed to the Head of Central and Local Government NI in 2013, he became the Regional Director of BT Enterprise NI in January 2017.
Paul has been with BT since 2004, joining through the acquisition of BIC Systems. Before joining BT, Paul held a number of positions in the IT industry including BIS Beecom, in 1991, moving from there to Parity and on to BIC Systems in 1998.
Paul was appointed NI Chamber President in June 2021. Born in Dublin, Paul moved to Belfast in 1974 and is a Queen’s University Belfast Electronic Engineering graduate.
A Message from Sponsor, BT's Paul Murnaghan
BT is pleased to once again be sharing this evening with the business community across Northern Ireland as we come together to celebrate the President’s Banquet – with a theme of ‘Beyond Imagination.’
Northern Ireland may be small in size but it continues to make a big impact on the global stage. It has never been more important that leading local businesses continue to work together in order to lead the way in innovation, forward-thinking solutions, and retaining talent here. This will help to ensure that we drive investment in a time of geopolitical uncertainty, in order to rebuild our businesses and our local economy.
At BT, we are a UK company, with a local presence, and we are excited for the year ahead. We remain committed to Northern Ireland through employment opportunities as well as the recent reopening of our flagship Riverside Tower office in Belfast following a multi-million-pound investment. Around 2000 colleagues are now benefiting from the new workspace. We’ll also be continuing to support the next generation of connectivity for homes, businesses, and the public and third sectors.
We are proud that we have been working in partnership with the Chamber now for the past 18 years and want to thank them for their continued support, visionary approach, and strong leadership for businesses here. Together, we can push beyond imagination and achieve unparalleled success.
Have a great evening.
President's Banquet Supporting Sponsor
John Mathers
Head of Corporate Banking, Northern Ireland, Barclays
John joined Barclays in 2015, with a remit to help drive the growth of the Bank’s share of the corporate market in Northern Ireland and was appointed Head of Corporate Bank, N.I. in May 2024.
John is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland, having trained with Deloitte and has over 15 years’ experience in corporate banking.
He is an active member of the business community, currently holding the position of Honorary Secretary with the Ulster Society of Chartered Accountants. He is also a Governor at his alma mater, Banbridge Academy.
President's Banquet Supporting Sponsor
Iain McKenzie
Executive Risk Consultant, Mattioli Woods
Iain joined Mattioli Woods as Executive Risk Consultant in August 2018 and was instrumental in developing the Group Risk and Internal Audit functions. Following his move to Chief Operating Officer, Iain now oversees the day-to-day operations of the Group. As part of this, he played a key role in ensuring the Group remained fully operational throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.
His previous roles in business consultancy and senior management have allowed Iain to bring an understanding of business functions and risk management to the Board. Iain has vast experience in people and change management, operational and process efficiency, data analysis and performance metrics, as well as strategic planning and project management.
Outside of work, Iain enjoys climbing, which has allowed him to travel all around the world and see some amazing places. He also enjoys trips to the Peak District with his family and dog Rufus!
President's Banquet Supporting Sponsor
Fiona Kirkpatrick
Partner, Tughans
Fiona joined Tughans in 2020 as Director, having gained a wealth of experience and an excellent reputation as an advisor in the private client team of another leading city centre firm. Fiona became Private Client Partner in 2023.
Fiona is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners and completed the STEP Diploma in Trusts and Estates (NI) with distinction, gaining two Worldwide Excellence Awards for qualifying top of her year and also for her performance in the Advanced Certificate in Trust & Estate Accounting (NI). She currently sits on the committee of the NI branch of STEP.
Fiona has a strong portfolio of clients and advises a number of high and ultra-high-net-worth individuals, including the shareholders of top 100 companies and high-profile family businesses. She also has an excellent track record in dealing with high-value and complex estate administrations and has a wealth of experience in the administration of a number of locally prestigious trusts.
Fiona has a particular interest in the development of advice around succession/exit planning for successful family-run businesses and she has presented numerous seminars on the issue of estate planning for business owners to members of the Belfast Chamber of Commerce and to various other organisations.
Fiona was a co-author of the Northern Ireland chapter of the legal textbook International Succession (4th Edition OUP Oxford, 2015). She is a member of the Elder Law Group of the Law Society of Northern Ireland.
Fiona is qualified to practice in Northern Ireland and England & Wales.
President's Banquet Supporting Sponsor
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Shauna Graham
Managing Director, ABL Group
Shauna has over 20 years of experience in the insurance industry, holds an ACII qualification and has expertise in designing and placing complex insurance programmes for corporate clients. She oversees the ABL Group's strategy, operations, and client relationships and works with a diverse and talented team of professionals.
Prior to joining ABL Group, Shauna was the Deputy Head of Office at Willis Towers Watson Belfast, where she was responsible for operations, market placements, insurer relations, and account management for large corporate clients in various sectors.
Shauna is passionate about delivering innovative and tailored solutions to meet the needs and challenges of ABL Group's clients and is committed to fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration and inclusion at ABL Group.
President's Banquet Drinks Reception Sponsor
Barbara McKiernan
Managing Director, VANRATH
With over 18 years of experience, Barbara McKiernan, Managing Director at VANRATH, is one of Northern Ireland’s leading and most respected recruitment professionals. With a background in finance and accountancy recruitment, Barbara has played a pivotal role in supporting the growth aspirations of NI’s business base by matching the best talent with local firms as they grow their teams.
More recently Barbara's role in recruitment has transitioned to one more overtly focused on providing the strategic leadership to grow VANRATH and maintain its position as NI’s leading local recruitment practice.
In addition to managing the day-to-day operations of the business, Barbara's direct engagement in recruitment has evolved to focus on internal talent management, including the recruitment, training and nurturing of VANRATH’s high-performing team, cultivating strong relationships and fostering an engaging and inclusive culture that puts our staff at the heart of the business.
About President's Banquet Brand Partner and Sponsors
BT, Communications Partner
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.
Today, that’s truer than ever. The connections we make are helping solve the world’s biggest challenges such as the global pandemic, climate change and cyber security. Through the power of technology, we’re supporting customers to live, work and play together better.
Barclays, Supporting Sponsor
Barclays is a British universal bank. Our vision is to be the UK-centred leader in global finance. We are a diversified bank with comprehensive UK consumer, corporate and wealth and private banking franchises, a leading investment bank and a strong, specialist US consumer bank.
Through these five divisions, we are working together for a better financial future for our customers, clients and communities.
With over 325 years of history and expertise in banking, Barclays operates in over 40 countries and employs approximately 83,500 people. Barclays moves, lends, invests and protects money for customers and clients worldwide.
Barclays is a trading name of Barclays Bank PLC and its subsidiaries. Barclays Bank PLC is registered in England and is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Registered in England. Registered No. 1026167. Registered office: 1 Churchill Place, London E14 5HP.
Tughans LLP, Supporting Sponsor
Tughans LLP has evolved over the past 125 years into one of the leading commercial law firms in Northern Ireland. Our lawyers are recognised as market leaders across their sectors and legal practices. We count some of the world's leading companies as clients and act for some of Northern Ireland’s largest and longest-established businesses and some of its most promising emerging businesses, both locally and internationally.
We recognise it is fundamental in today’s challenging environment for businesses to be able to predict and respond to change, and that to do this our clients need effective, innovative, commercially focused legal advice.
Whilst responding to change is essential, some fundamental principles must remain constant, and at Tughans our two main principles are that people do business with people and that our service must exceed expectations.
The majority of our teams are ranked in the top tier of our industry-recognised legal directories. A significant number of our lawyers are dual qualified having trained and worked in London and across the United Kingdom and Ireland.
ABL Group, Supporting Sponsor
ABL Group is Northern Ireland's leading insurance broker and risk advisory and we are proud to call some of NI’s biggest companies, best-known brands and most respected institutions our clients and partners.
Established in Belfast in 2006, we are a native company with exceptional levels of local business knowledge and an expert understanding of the unique regulatory framework that businesses in Northern Ireland operate within.
We are also part of Brown & Brown, Inc., a leading global insurance broking group. As part of Brown & Brown, we can combine our local, professional service with the resources, capabilities and negotiating power of a Global broker, to the benefit of our clients.
ABL Group has grown significantly since our foundation, acquiring a series of local brokerages and the Northern Ireland business of a number of international firms along the way. We continue to grow our business, with mergers and acquisitions remaining a key part of our growth strategy.
Mattioli Woods Plc, Supporting Sponsor
Mattioli Woods is one of the UK’s leading wealth management and employee benefits providers, advising over 11,000 clients with more than £15 billion in assets under management, administration, and advice. Our mission is to keep clients at the heart of all we do, helping them grow and preserve their assets while empowering them with clear financial insight and control.
We are proud to sponsor the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce’s Annual President’s Banquet as we expand our presence in Northern Ireland. Since acquiring Doherty Pension & Investment Consultancy Ltd in April 2023, we have deepened our commitment to delivering holistic financial planning from our new Belfast office.
Managing over £600 million in local client assets, supported by Mattioli Woods’ broader expertise, we look forward to building lasting relationships across the region and supporting individuals, businesses, and the wider Northern Ireland community with tailored financial solutions.
VANRATH, Drinks Reception Sponsor
Established in 2000, VANRATH is the leading specialist recruitment agency for the IT, Accountancy & Finance, Sales and Marketing, HR, Legal, Business Support, and Construction and Engineering Sectors in Northern Ireland.
VANRATH recruits across a full range of disciplines within our specialist sectors, for both permanent and temporary positions. Our recruitment experts are more consultative, more strategic and more connected than any other recruitment agency in Northern Ireland.
Bauer Media Group, Media Partner
We are a media business focused on creating content that matters to millions of people across Europe. Our offering extends from print and online publishing to audio broadcasting and entertainment, alongside investments in other media-related sectors.
With more than 500 million copies sold each year, we are one of Europe’s largest Publishers. From women’s and celebrities’ magazines to TV listings to food and special interest, we own some of the most popular publishing brands in Germany, the UK, Poland and France – both digital and print.
Reaching over 61 million listeners weekly, we operate over 150 radio and podcast brands in nine countries. Bauer Media focuses on the long-term, with a consumer-first mindset that guides us across our diverse portfolio. Our workforce of 12,000 shares a common purpose: to deliver content and services that enrich people‘s everyday lives.
President's Banquet Entertainment
Riff Shop
Dublin-based Riff Shop combines SteveO (DJ), Aran Johnston (Drums/ Percussion) & Sean O’Brien (Sax). What started as a spontaneous jam in one of Dublin’s most popular clubs, Riff Shop has grown to become one of the biggest acts in Ireland.
They emerged from Dublin’s nightclub scene 6 years ago, and are now embarking on growing their international reputation. They are regulars in the Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort, and 2022 is set to be the biggest year for Riff Shop with dates in Ibiza, Marbella, London, & Nice. They continue to evolve their truly unique and fresh sound, and you can expect some new releases from the band coming later this year.
President's Banquet Drinks Partners
Diageo
Diageo is a global leader in premium drinks. With over 200 brands including Guinness, Rockshore, Tanqueray and Don Julio and sales in nearly 180 countries, our portfolio has remarkable breadth and depth.
From centuries-old names to the latest innovations, we’re committed to building and sustaining exceptional brands.
With a strong commitment to sustainability and innovation, Diageo plays a pivotal role in the local economy, supporting jobs and contributing to community development. The company is dedicated to responsible drinking and environmental stewardship, ensuring a positive impact on society and the environment.
Jawbox Gin
Jawbox Gin, founded in Belfast by Gerry White, is celebrated for its classic dry gin profile. Distilled at the Echlinville Distillery, it features 11 botanicals, including local Black Mountain heather.
Jawbox pays homage to Belfast’s industrial heritage, with its name inspired by the city’s iconic deep, boxy sinks. Since its launch, it has become a staple in the local drinks scene, known for its smooth, balanced flavour, versatility in cocktails and the popular Jawbox and ginger serve.
President's Charity
Horatio's Garden
Horatio’s Garden builds and looks after extraordinary gardens in the heart of NHS spinal injury rehabilitation centres.
Spinal injury can happen to anyone at any time. The results are life-changing and devastating. Our gardens outside the hospital wards offer a place for reflection and adjustment, privacy and solace, joy and companionship for people and their families.
From gardening sessions and arts workshops to live music, Horatio’s Garden Northern Ireland is a warm and welcoming place all year round. We believe everyone with a spinal injury should have access to Horatio’s Garden as part of their rehabilitation care. Our gardens are made possible entirely by donations.
Thank you to NI Chamber for their generous support of Horatio’s Garden Northern Ireland.
