Throw everything at it and leave the organisation in a better place than I found it.
Those were the two pledges I made to myself when I became President of Belfast Chamber and, as the end of my two-year term draws near, I believe I have done just that.
Stepping into the role in June 2023, I knew I was inheriting something special – a Chamber that was eager to make the biggest impact possible, with a team and a membership full of passion, purpose, and pride in Belfast.
However, I also knew there was work to do. The city was still emerging from the aftershocks of the Covid-19 pandemic, with a cost-of-doing-business crisis continuing to bite hard and big questions about what kind of future we were building – and for who.
It was former US President Theodore Roosevelt who said “do what you can, with what you have, where you are” and, as a Chamber, we have embodied that. We didn’t sit back and wait, instead, we leaned in.
It is perhaps fitting to quote a former US president in a week after Belfast Chamber led a 20-strong business delegation to New York for a trade mission aimed at forging new commercial connections and unlocking fresh opportunities for trade and investment between Northern Ireland and the United States.
That trip provided just a flavour of how the Chamber team is always seeking new, innovative and ambitious ways in which to open doors for our members, elevate their business and enhance the fantastic work they do.
We are the voice for business in Belfast, representing over 600 organisations across a vast range of sectors, and we leave no stone unturned in making sure this voice is heard by everyone that needs to hear it.
A high-profile example of the influence Belfast Chamber has was seen in the engagement we had with the Infrastructure Minister about the importance of alleviating the traffic congestion around Belfast city that was significantly damaging businesses in the run-up to Christmas.
Having first voiced our concerns as early as October, we held two meetings with the Minister in December which led to a number of temporary measures being implemented to address the problem during what was a crucial trading period for the retail and hospitality sectors in particular.
We also stood up for city centre businesses last summer during the spate of anti-immigration-related violence, while the Chamber continues to stress the importance of having a clean, safe and welcoming city in which to live and work – and how important that is to ensuring the city is attractive to foreign investors.
I had been in the role of President for just over seven months when the Stormont Executive came back online last February. The work we do and the relationships we have formed with key decision-makers meant we had an immediate alignment with the Assembly, which reaffirmed the Chamber’s position on the front line of decision-making.
As we look forward to welcoming a new Chamber President, a moment of internal reflection on the last two years makes it clear just how much progress the organisation has made in that time.
We have welcomed almost 170 new members, hosted over 50 events, implemented a new strategy, council and board, as well as launching a new brand identity and website, while moving into Custom House – one of the shining lights of Belfast’s office market.
Among the most significant developments of the last two years, however, was the appointment of Clare Guinness as Chamber CEO in August 2023. Clare has brought a dynamic, focused and forward-thinking approach that has re-energised the organisation and strengthened its influence, with her leadership playing a central role in positioning the Chamber as a powerful advocate for Belfast’s business community.
It must be said, though, that, as rewarding as my time as President has been, it has not been without its frustrations – the biggest being the speed of decision-making in our city. Too often, things take far too long to move. We’re hindered by split responsibility, complex structures, and the constant risk of things getting passed around until the moment is lost.
Great cities are built on good decisions made at the right time – not perfect ones made too late.
We need simpler governance and clearer accountability, along with a shared willingness to sit around the same table and make decisions that allow progress to be made. That is what Belfast deserves.
It’s been the honour of my professional life to serve as Belfast Chamber President. As I look forward to continuing to serve on the Chamber board, I’ll always be proud to have played a part in shaping the future of this incredible city.
Together we are Belfast.