Ulster Business Word from the Wise
Clare Guinness, Chief Executive Officer, Belfast Chamber
How did you start out in business?
I completed a finance degree at Loughborough University, with a scholarship from NatWest, which proved to be the platform for a 17-year career in banking with Bank of Ireland. I worked in corporate and business banking in Belfast, as well as five years in real estate in London, before leaving the industry 10 years ago. I have since enjoyed a range of executive roles, including Director of Corporate Services at Fane Valley Group, CEO of Warrenpoint Harbour and Innovation Director at Strategic Investment Board, and took up my current role as CEO of Belfast Chamber in September 2023. My career has also included spells as a Non-Executive Director at Progressive Building Society and pro-bono board memberships at Visit Belfast and community charity Peace Players.
What have you found the most challenging during your years of business so far?
I have delivered substantial change programmes across a few organisations that really impacted both people and culture, from refining roles and changing terms and conditions to merging operational units. Change is a necessity but not everyone likes it. Implementing new structures and implementing sizeable changes whilst ensuring you retain the support of your team is a challenge, and one that often requires a lot of energy. Clear communication and precise planning are key in these instances, and you need to be fully committed to the changes you are trying to implement, otherwise nobody else will be.
How would you describe your management style?
That very much depends on the business I am managing. I think the best leaders must have the versatility and flexibility to tailor their management style to the organisation and situation they are leading. I believe you must be able to adapt to ever-changing business environments and be committed to continuous improvement. I can be quite persuasive, and prefer to take a laissez-faire approach as I have never reacted well to being micro-managed myself – nor do believe it to be effective.
What would you change if you could go back and do it all again?
One thing I definitely would change if I had my time again is that I would have travelled a lot more. I wish I had studied or worked overseas, perhaps in the USA. That said, I have always loved home, still do, and believe that even if I had gone away I would always have settled back in my home city of Belfast.
Have you done it all on your own?
No, not at all. I don’t think anyone can. I have been extremely lucky to have had the support of a close family and a strong network of friends throughout my career. I am also very proud of the relationships I build with colleagues – working with people that you get along with makes doing your job much more enjoyable. I am a people person.
How would you like your business to be remembered?
It has been a time of significant transformation at Belfast Chamber since my appointment. In 2024 we launched a new strategy, welcomed new Board members, established a Chamber Council, recruited a new team, moved to a new top quality office in Custom House, delivered 26 events with over 2,700 attendees and – most importantly – welcomed almost 100 new members across all sectors this year. We are the voice of business in Belfast and that voice is getting louder. We are relentless in applying positive pressure and constructively challenging city policy makers across local government and departments. We are confident that our work and influence will bring about a better city not only for business, but for all our citizens. The work is underway and the outcomes, combined with membership growth, will define the Chamber’s success.
What piece of advice would you give to a 20-year-old you?
To take that year to travel after graduating, that my parents talked me out of, and to see more of the world before stepping on to the career ladder.