IoD’ s newly appointed Belfast-born Director General Stephen Martin addresses IoD NI’ s Annual Dinner
Stephen Martin, James Brokenshire, Ian Sheppard, Catriona Gibson, Dale Guest etting the question of the border the front line in negotiations over the UK’ s between Northern Ireland and the exit from the EU ".
GRepublic right will be the“ litmus test of A recent IoD survey, conducted with its a successful Brexit”, the newly appointed sister organisation in Dublin, found 10 per Director General of the Institute of Directors cent of IoD members in Northern Ireland and( IoD) has said. a quarter of IoD Ireland members had
Belfastborn Stephen Martin was employees that commute across the border. addressing more than 200 delegates at the Mr Martin added:“ Both the UK and Irish IoD Northern Ireland Annual Dinner, governments have stated they do not want a sponsored by Bank of Ireland and Arthur Cox.‘ hard’ border put in place – and we welcome
Delegates at the event, a highlight of the that commitment – but we know this will just corporate social calendar, were also be one issue among many in broader Brexit addressed by Secretary of State for Northern negotiations with the EU. Ireland James Brokenshire.
“ Getting the question of Northern Ireland’ s
Mr Martin, who took up the post of Director border with the Republic right will be the General last week, said he had joined the litmus test for a successful Brexit.” organisation at an“ interesting time”.
In his speech, IoD Northern Ireland“ In just the last few weeks, we have seen Chairman Ian Sheppard, described the recent the UK Government compelled by the dissolution of the Northern Ireland Assembly Supreme Court to seek the approval of the as“ simply not good enough”. Westminster Parliament before beginning He said:“ This is no time for Northern Brexit proceedings, while in Northern
Ireland to be losing its institutions of Ireland, the resignation of the Deputy First government – while the Prime Minister and Minister has triggered new Assembly her team are strapping on the pads to go into elections, now just weeks away. bat on what are potentially the most
“ You do not need me to tell you that important negotiations for over 40 years and political uncertainty has been dialled up a which could set the economic course ahead notch for businesses here in Northern for decades, sadly we in Northern Ireland are
Ireland.” still in the pavilion sticking election posters He said he chose to deliver his first speech on the notice board. as Director General in Northern Ireland
“ However, when the dust has settled and all because local firms were“ in many ways, on is said and done, we are going to need words
of grace, a time of healing, and leaders who have a vision to lift themselves above the parochial, can stretch themselves beyond their own constituency and make compromises to restore fullyfunctioning institutions. The next few months will be a real test of our political maturity.”
Dale Guest, Director Corporate Banking Northern Ireland, Bank of Ireland added:
“ Like Bank of Ireland, the IoD has a strong and ambitious track record in creating great leaders that have grown businesses and made Northern Ireland a great place to do business.
“ We are proud to sponsor the IoD and look forward to continuing that longstanding close partnership and support into the future.”
Catriona Gibson, Managing Partner of Arthur Cox, commented:“ Arthur Cox is proud to support the IoD in its work to develop better business leaders and improve the local economy across a wide range of key sectors.“ We provide strategic counsel to many leading businesses across Northern Ireland, from family enterprises to large corporates, for whom the IoD Annual Dinner is always a highlight on the business calendar.
“ We are especially delighted to continue our longstanding sponsorship of the event as this year it marks the start of Belfastborn Stephen Martin’ s tenure as the IoD’ s new Director General.”
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