Economist Andy Haldane, previously named by Times magazine as one of the world’s top 100 most influential people, believes Belfast must never lose focus if it is to become a more prosperous city.
Mr Haldane, a former Bank of England chief economist, was speaking at a roundtable event hosted by Belfast Chamber and attended by a delegation of senior leaders from across the private and public sector.
The outgoing CEO of the Royal Society for Arts, who sits on the UK Government’s Economic Advisory Council, outlined the effective interventions deployed in other cities that Belfast must learn from in order to make the improvements required to ensure it reaches its full potential in an economic, social and cultural sense.
Mr Haldane shared reflections on Belfast’s significant potential, noting that the city possesses all the essential elements required for prosperity, including exceptional talent, ample space, rich culture, and world class people. However, he emphasised that to fully achieve this potential, city leaders must remain focused on a smaller number of key city projects building towards their ultimate vision. These projects must demonstrate ambition and inclusive economic growth to build a more prosperous place.
Belfast Chamber President Gavin Annon chaired the roundtable discussion, which also examined how Belfast can become a safer, cleaner and more welcoming city, alongside the importance of establishing an environment conducive to attracting investment and unlocking the city’s full potential.
Clare Guinness, CEO of Belfast Chamber, said:
“It was fantastic to provide our members with such in-depth access to one of the UK’s most influential business leaders in Andy Haldane. The insights he provided, and the solutions he offered resonated with everyone in the room. With some fresh thinking and a collective commitment many of the persistent issues could be addressed for our city and region.
“Belfast is brimming with potential as a city in which to live and work, but for too long it has been restricted by a lack of strategic thinking and investment in infrastructure. These challenges must be considered in the context of the wider macro-economic environment, and Belfast Chamber has been at the forefront of ensuring these issues are addressed effectively.”
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