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BELFAST CHAMBER BUSINESS AWARDS 2025 →

*SOLD OUT*The Executive Edge : Success, Strategy, Style

Date: 18/09/25
TIMINGS:

*This event is now sold out*

5:30pm – 8:00pm

Join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating the strategy, success, and style of women in business. This dynamic event brings together visionary female entrepreneurs and industry leaders for a powerful, honest and insightful conversation on what it really takes to build a business, define success on your own terms, and lead with purpose.

The evening will feature three curated segments:

Strategy – Be inspired by the powerful stories of three remarkable women who have defined success on their own terms. In this uplifting panel, you’ll hear authentic accounts of the challenges they’ve faced, the growth they’ve embraced, and the pivotal moments that have shaped their journeys.

Success – Get inside the minds of these successful entrepreneurs as they pull back the curtain on what it takes to build and grow a successful brand, as they share their insights into starting and building a business. From innovative growth tactics to lessons learned in resilience, this conversation offers an unfiltered look at the minds driving some of today’s most inspiring local businesses..

Style – End the night with a high-energy style session led by the experts at Victoria Square, focused on elevating your personal brand and presence.

VSQ Style Section Overview
Join us for a quick, practical session on modern office wear – where style meets comfort. Michelle Greeves and some of the Personal Shopping team from Victoria Square will share tips on how to elevate your work wardrobe with smart staples and trend led pieces. Whether you’re navigating hybrid workdays or updating your 9–5 style, this is your guide to dressing sharp, staying comfortable and feeling confident.

Charlotte Tilbury Express Masterclass
Get ready for a glow-up! Makeup Artists from Charlotte Tilbury will be on hand for an express masterclass, showing you how to effortlessly elevate your look from day to night. Whether you’re heading from desk to dinner or adding a touch of glamour to your everyday routine, discover pro tips and signature Charlotte Tilbury techniques for a flawless, radiant finish in minutes.

Enjoy an evening of connection, inspiration, and elevation, with refreshments, music, and great company throughout.

The event starts at 5:30PM with registration & networking alongside refreshments and music, giving you the chance to connect with fellow guests before we officially begin at 6PM. We’ll then move into our first panel on strategy, where female entrepreneurs share the frameworks behind their business models. Next up is our success panel, featuring inspiring stories from women who’ve built their own paths to leadership. After a short break to enjoy more refreshments and conversation, we’ll wrap up with a vibrant style edit session led by the team from Victoria Square—perfect for anyone looking to elevate their personal brand.

Location: Custom House Belfast

Sponsors:

Speakers & Panelists

Emma Hunt

Partner & Head of Litigation

Mills Selig

Emma Hunt is a Partner and Head of Litigation at leading Belfast commercial law firm, Mills Selig. Emma is a specialist in commercial litigation and has built a reputation for strategic, client-focused legal advice across a broad range of sectors including property, media, financial services, construction, manufacturing and ports and harbours. She has a particular specialism in media law and defamation, as well as in complex property disputes. Having joined Mills Selig in 2001, Emma has played a key role in shaping the firm’s growth and culture – she now leads one of the largest and most reputable litigation teams in Northern Ireland. Under her leadership, the team has doubled in size in recent years and continues to grow. This reflects Emma’s vision, drive and leadership. Emma has been described as “a formidable litigator, personable and determined with a ready ability to resolve even the most complex cases” - she is renowned for her clear thinking, calm approach and sharp commercial judgement. Outside of Mills Selig, Emma has several additional leadership roles, including as a member of specialist committees within the legal sector, the NI Policy Committee for the Federation of Small Businesses, and as a co-opted member on the Planning and Finance Committee for Queen’s University Belfast.

Dr Teresa Donaldson

Chair

Belfast Harbour

Appointed in 2021, and reappointed for a second term in July 2025, Dr Theresa Donaldson is Chair of Belfast Harbour and is a Chartered Director and Fellow of the Institute of Directors.Theresa is also a former Vice Chair of the Eirgrid Group and has previously held non-Executive positions with the NI Equality Commission, the Health and Social Care Board and NI Probation Board. She is a member of LCJ Solicitors’ Disciplinary panel, a former member of Legal Services Regulatory Authority and Board member for the Centre for Effective Services.In her Executive career Theresa was Chief Executive of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council and Craigavon Borough Council, and was Director of Policy and Civil Legal Service Delivery in the NI Legal Services Commission.

Rachel McCausland

CEO

Lowe Rental

At the helm since 2022, CEO Rachel McCausland has been building a career in the rental services industry for close to two decades. With a breadth of experience within strategic growth and market diversification she has played a pivotal role in driving the company’s global expansion through several key acquisitions and new regional locations. Leveraging deep industry knowledge and visionary leadership to position Lowe Rental Corporation at the forefront of innovation and market growth.

Amy Anderson

Fashion Designer & Co-Founder

Kindred of Ireland

Melanie Harrison

Proprietess

Harrison Chambers of Distinction

Melanie Harrison is the founder and Director of The Harrison Chambers of Distinction, a renowned boutique accommodation in Belfast’s Queen’s Quarter. Originally from Armagh, Melanie brings a global perspective shaped by her extensive international travel and deep appreciation for art, design, and heritage. She transformed five 19th-century Victorian merchant townhouses into a one-of-a-kind hospitality experience, with each room individually curated to celebrate Belfast’s rich cultural legacy. Guests are immersed in stories through rooms themed around iconic local figures like C.S. Lewis and Ruby Murray, and surrounded by carefully sourced antiques, reclaimed materials, and locally crafted furnishings. Melanie is a champion of Belfast’s creative and historical identity. She fosters local artistry, sustainable practices, and meaningful connections between guests and the city. The Harrison has quickly become a cultural landmark and a proud example of independent, female-led innovation in Northern Ireland’s tourism sector.

Caroline Wilson

Co Founder

Taste & Tour

Caroline Wilson co-founded Taste & Tour in 2016 with Phil Ervine, though her journey began in 2014 when she launched the Belfast Food Tour. She was inspired by a passion for showcasing local produce and connecting people to the history of Belfast, as well as each other, through food, drink and locally owned hospitality venues. After leaving behind a 15-year legal career, Caroline transformed what started as a weekly food tour into a multi award-winning company. Today, Taste & Tour delivers a series of acclaimed food and drink experiences across Belfast and Edinburgh, supported by a team of over 30 guides and enjoyed by locals, visitors and corporate groups. In 2022, she co-created The Spirit Circle, an innovative multi-sensory cocktail experience that blends storytelling, flavour, and creativity. Beyond her own ventures, Caroline is a strong advocate for regional tourism and cultural growth. She serves on the boards of Visit Belfast and The Strand Arts Centre, and plays an active role in Belfast Flavours, the city’s food and drink collective.

Shirley Palmer

CEO & Founder

Beyond Limits Global Ltd

Shirley Palmer is a trusted advisor to visionary CEOs and leadership teams, known for her deeply intuitive, results-driven approach to conscious leadership. With over two decades of experience, she helps leaders create clarity, ignite presence, and lead with lasting impact. Through her signature offerings - The Edge and The Living Collective - Shirley bridges energy, strategy, and soul. She believes success is personal and leadership should be too. Her work invites leaders to define success on their own terms and embody the courage it takes to lead with heart, purpose, and presence.

Michelle Greeves

Centre Manager

Victoria Square

Michelle Greeves is Centre Manager at Victoria Square, Belfast’s premier retail and leisure destination. With over three decades of leadership experience in the retail sector, Michelle brings deep insight into fashion, customer experience and consumer trends. Having previously managed the House of Fraser store before taking the reins at Victoria Square, she blends commercial acumen with a passion for personal style. At the heart of a centre that champions both high-street and luxury brands, Michelle is ideally placed to offer expert styling advice rooted in real retail expertise.

Thank you for submitting your application form, a member of the team will be in touch shortly with confirmation of your registration and an Invoice for payment.



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