Chamber and Northern Bank Business Breakfast

Ballymena Borough Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Northern Bank jointly hosted a business breakfast in the Adair Arms Hotel on Wednesday 29th February. Approximately 100 guests attended to hear Angela McGowan, the Chief Economist from Northern Bank give an address on the current state and future prospects for the Northern Ireland economy.

L-R Thomas McKillen (Chamber Vice President), Carol Wilson (Senior Branch Manager Northern Bank Ballymena), Mayor Hubert Nicholl, Kevin Kingston (Managing Director Business & Corporate, Northern Bank), Angela McGowan (Chief Economist Northern Bank) and Graham Lapsley (Head of Northern Bank Ballymena Business Centre)

Councillor Hubert Nicholl, Mayor of Ballymena welcomed everyone to the breakfast, thanking Chamber and Northern Bank for organising the event. The Mayor said

“Last week Ballymena Borough Council agreed to act as principal sponsor of the 2012 Ballymena Borough Business Excellence awards. This is the tenth year of the awards which are organised annually by the Chamber of Commerce. These awards are now leading event of their type in the Province and Ballymena Borough Council is delighted to be associated with them. I would encourage all businesses to apply to the various categories within the programme”.

He continued “The Banks have a vital role to play in ensuring that our Borough remains vibrant and successful. All banks have had a fair bit of criticism recently for not supporting businesses, especially small local businesses. These small businesses play a crucial role in the economy of the Borough and it is essential that the banks recognise this and support progressive and viable businesses”.

Graham Lapsley, Head of Northern Bank’s Ballymena Business Centre said that Northern Bank first opened its doors in 1835 to support the people and businesses in Ballymena. He continued “Much has changed in that time but I have to say that the past four years have seen unprecedented change in the way we do business and, as you know only too well, the way you do business. Over the past few years we have remained in partnership with many businesses in this area and we have assisted those who have developed their business models to deal with the challenges that trading conditions have brought. I am delighted that Northern Bank remains committed to this area. In fact I’m delighted to announce that Ballymena has been confirmed as one of Northern’s four key business banking areas outside of Belfast.  As a local Bank we are investing in a local business banking team combining leading edge technology with the value of highly experienced relationship managers. We have a strong and experienced local team, looking after the needs of local business customers and who know the opportunities and challenges in the local market.

 Graham Lapsley, Head of Northern Bank Ballymena Business Centre

Present today we have local business people who have the ability to sustain whatever is thrown at them. We have strong third generation businesses whose families have seen off many challenges since they were established. We have businesses which are clearly ‘Best in Class” in their sector. We have businesses which have transformed their business model in the past three years, we have businesses that have excellent financial, strategic and operation plans in place and we have businesses that simply move with the times because they realize that what was good enough last year won’t be good enough this year. The ability of the Ballymena Businessperson must not be underestimated.

Mr Mayor – I’m delighted that Council is again supporting businesses in this area through their ongoing sponsorship of the Ballymena Business Awards later this year.   Please convey our thanks for this support. Northern Bank will again be an Award Sponsor in 2012 in this the tenth year of this event. This is an excellent business event and I urge you all to enter an award category or at the very least support the event through your attendance at the gala evening to once again showcase everything that is good about business in this area”.

Angela McGowan, Chief Economist at Northern Bank said:

“I have every confidence in Ballymena’s ability to pursue strong economic growth now and in the years ahead.   The fact that this region has an unemployment rate which is lower that the Northern Ireland average is indicative of the local entrepreneurial spirit and the healthy industrial structure that prevails.   Employment in Ballymena’s manufacturing sector amounts to roughly 20 per cent of the local workforce, a level which compares very favourably to the Northern Ireland average of 10 per cent.    The region also demonstrates huge potential for taking its tourist offering to the next level and capturing all the tourist opportunities on the horizon that will stem from events such as the City of Culture 2013, the Irish Open Golf Championship and the World Police and Fire Games.

 Angela McGowan, Chief Economist, Northern Bank

“By building on its strengths in terms of manufacturing, retail and great hospitality while simultaneously pursuing their public-private partnerships approach to economic growth and development, Ballymena will undoubtedly be a town to live in, invest in or just visit in the years ahead”.

Thomas McKillen, Chamber Vice President closed the breakfast saying “I would like to thank the Mayor for being here this morning. I would also like to thank Northern Bank for their support and Angela McGowan in particular for her talk. I certainly found it very interesting and informative, and while there are still tough times ahead, it is not all doom and gloom. Thank you for attending”.

Thomas McKillen, Chamber Vice President

 

Additional Pictures from the Event:

 

 

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Contact Us

Ballymena Borough Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 4 Wellington Court, Ballymena, BT43 6EQ

Email: office@ballymenachamber.co.uk

Tel: 07801 738 359

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