President's Banquet 2025

📍 Venue: ICC, Belfast  
📅 Date: Thursday 27 November 2025  
Event Time: 6.00 PM – 11.00 PM 

About our Sponsors | Charity Prizes

President's Banquet Event Programme

6.00PM  VIP Drinks Reception, Hall 2, First Floor


6.15PM  Main Drinks Reception – Atrium Ground Floor


6.45PM   CALL TO TABLES   


7.10PM    Welcome with Holly Hamilton and Connor Phillips  


Dr Caoimhe Archibald MLA, Minister, Department for the Economy      


Suzanne Wylie, Chief Executive, NI Chamber

Paul Murnaghan, Director, Devolved Nations and Regions, BT Business and Communications Partner


President’s Address – Kailash Chada, President, NI Chamber  


8.00PM    Dinner Served 


10.00PM  In Conversation with Holly and Connor  

  • Sky Sports Presenter, Nick Dougherty
  • Former Ryder Cup Captain, Paul McGinley
  • PGA Professional Golf Coach, Georgia Ball

10.50PM  Silent Charity Raffle 


11.00PM  After Party in Hall 2  


12:30 AM: Bar Close


1:00 AM: Event Close

Meet the President

Kailash Chada (President, NI Chamber of Commerce & Industry)

Kailash Chada, President, NI Chamber, & Group CEO, Phoenix Energy

Kailash has been Group Chief Executive Officer at Phoenix Energy since April 2023, having previously been the Group Chief Finance Officer.   

In a career spanning more than 30 years, Kailash began work with PwC in Edinburgh before undertaking a number of senior roles in major international banking and other financial services businesses in London. Kailash moved back to Northern Ireland in 2013 with Ulster Bank where he was interim CEO for a division of the Bank prior to taking up a role as Chief Finance Officer at Phoenix in 2017. 

Kailash holds a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland.  Kailash also serves as a Board member of Business in the Community NI.

Meet the Special Guests

Nick Dougherty (Sky Sports presenter)

Nick Dougherty

Presenter, Sky Sports

Nick is a former European Tour golfer who turned professional in 2002, becoming 'Rookie of the Year' and landing his first European Tour victory at the 2005 Caltex Masters in Singapore.

He joined Sky Sports in 2016 to work across their extensive golf coverage, including The Masters, The Open Championship and Ryder Cup.

Georgia Ball – (PGA Professional Golf Coach)

Georgia Ball

PGA Professional Golf Coach

Georgia Ball is a PGA Golf Coach and one of the fastest-growing female golf content creators in the world.

With a combined audience of over 1.2m followers across social media, Georgia has built a powerful community by making the game more accessible, relatable, and fun for golfers of all levels.

Paul McGinley – (Former Ryder Cup Captain)

Paul McGinley

Former Ryder Cup Captain

Paul is a world-renowned Irish professional golfer who has had a stellar career both as a player and a captain in the Ryder Cup and other international team competitions.

He’s recognised for his work across almost every aspect of golf, including commentary and TV analysis on both sides of the Atlantic, as well as being a sought-after golf course designer and consultant.

Meet the Hosts

Holly Hamilton, (Presenter, BBC)

Holly Hamilton, Presenter, BBC

Connor Phillips, (Presenter, BBC)

Connor Phillips, Presenter, BBC

Circular image suzanne wylie
Paul Murnaghan, (Director, Devolved Nations and Regions, BT Business & Past President NI Chamber of Commerce and Industry)

Suzanne Wylie, Chief Executive, NI Chamber

Paul Murnaghan, Director, Devolved Nations and Regions, BT Business and Communications Partner

President's Banquet Communications Partner

BT - Copy

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 cybersecurity.

Through the power of technology, we’re supporting customers to live, work and play together better.

Supporting Sponsors

Barclays

Barclays is proud to once again sponsor this evening’s event and support NI Chamber in the positive work they do to continue to drive the growth of the economy both locally and internationally. 

Despite economic uncertainty, cost pressures, and geopolitical complexity, our local businesses continue to deliver strong performance and remain ambitious for their future. Our recent Business Prosperity Index and Survey suggests local businesses are gearing up to invest in digital innovation, staff training and R&D to fuel growth plans. 

At Barclays Corporate Banking, we have the banking excellence you’d expect with the data and insights you don’t.  We look beyond banking to help you see what really matters. 

Through our dedicated sector and regional specialists, and the power of the wider Barclays network, we can act on those insights together.  A number of our team will be in attendance this evening, so please do speak with us about our innovative financing solutions that can help you achieve a more expansive, better-connected future for your business.  Most importantly, we wish you a very enjoyable evening. 

Brown & Brow-3

Founded as a family business in 1939, Brown & Brown is a leading global insurance intermediary, employing over 23,000 teammates worldwide and generating over $4.8BN in revenue.

Following the acquisition of Global Risk Partners (GRP) in July 2022, we are now one of the largest insurance intermediaries in the UK and Ireland, working with almost half a million personal and commercial customers across a spectrum of industries, sectors and specialist insurance and risk management needs.

Charles Hurst

Charles Hurst is proud to support the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce President’s Banquet — a celebration of leadership, innovation, and the strength of our local business community.

As Northern Ireland’s largest automotive retailer, representing over 30 global brands, we share the Chamber’s commitment to driving progress, creating opportunity, and investing in people.

For over a century, Charles Hurst has been part of the fabric of Northern Ireland’s economy, helping individuals and businesses move forward with confidence.

We’re delighted to join fellow members in recognising the remarkable achievements that continue to shape our region’s success.

Mattioli Woods

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 NI Chamber’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.

Tourism NI

Tourism NI is responsible for the development of tourism in Northern Ireland, supporting the tourism industry and marketing Northern Ireland as a tourist destination.

We are a non-departmental public body of the Department for the Economy, and work closely with other tourism bodies to help develop the visitor economy here for your business.

As a tourism business in Northern Ireland, we want to support you wherever possible. Together, we can help you attract more customers and make sure they get the most from the Northern Ireland experience.

tughans white logo

We are pleased to once again support the President’s Banquet, a key event in the business calendar, and a terrific opportunity for local businesses to get together to celebrate the achievements and success of our business community. 

Aligned with the theme of ‘driving prosperity’, Tughans advises many of Northern Ireland’s most innovative companies, from publicly listed businesses to lean start-ups, at all stages of their growth. Our market-leading practice also supports businesses as they take ‘home-grown’ ideas from Northern Ireland to the global stage.

This is why we have acted in more of the major corporate, real estate and finance transactions in Northern Ireland than any other law firm each year for the past ten years. 

BAUER MEDIA GROUP-2
White logo outline-1

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. Reaching over 61 million listeners weekly, we operate over 150 radio and podcast brands in nine countries. 

Entertainment Sponsor

The only 360° agency on the island of Ireland, fuelled by a bunch of passionate, driven people who genuinely love what we do.

But we’re not just about what we do, we’re about how we do it. We thrive on creating ideas and memorable moments that stand out and connect in an ever-changing world.
Every strategy, every campaign, every idea is designed with one goal in mind… to help your business grow in the most innovative, impactful way possible.

Drinks Sponsor and Partner

VANRATH

Drinks Reception Sponsor

VANRATH is delighted to once again sponsor the NI Chamber President’s Banquet – a brilliant celebration of Northern Ireland’s thriving business community.

With so much changing around us, taking the time to recognise local success feels more important than ever. We’re looking forward to an evening of great company, entertainment, and inspiration as we celebrate businesses across the country.

From all of us at VANRATH, we hope you have a brilliant night and enjoy celebrating everything that makes Northern Ireland’s business community so special.

Titanic-Distillers

VIP Drinks Partner

At the heart of it, we’re simply a group of people from Belfast, brought together by a shared love of good company, great drinks, and nights that always end with laughter and stories worth telling.

For us, it was never just about building a distillery. We wanted a place with as much heart as we had passion, a space that could tell its own story. We’re proud to have brought one of Belfast’s most iconic buildings back to life.

By day, our distillers work with passion, precision and purpose, crafting whiskey rich in aroma and depth, a true reflection of their skill and dedication. When night falls, the stillness shifts and the distillery takes on new life. Music fills the air, lights rise, and Belfast’s unmistakable spirit comes alive once more.

DIAGEO-1

Drinks Partner

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.

Tonight's Charity Collection will be in aid of the President's Charity

North Belfast Foodbank

North Belfast Foodbank

“The foodbank was there when we really needed it, it was an absolute lifeline.”

We don’t think anyone in our community should have to face going hungry. That’s why we provide three days’ nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people who are referred to us in crisis.

We are part of a nationwide network of food banks, supported by The Trussell Trust, working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK.

Prizes up for Grabs: Charity Raffle

President's Banquet Charity Raffle

Thank you - we really appreciate your donation!