IN THE HEADLINES
Ken Nelson Appointed Chairman of InterTradeIreland
orthern Ireland businessman , Ken Nelson , has been appointed as
Nchairman of InterTradeIreland by the North South Ministerial Council .
Chief executive of Local Economic Development Company ( LEDCOM ) Ltd , one of Northern Ireland ’ s leading social enterprises , Ken has more than 25 years ’ experience working closely with entrepreneurs , startup companies , small businesses and social enterprises . During his career with LEDCOM , Ken has had regular involvement with crossborder trade development activities for micro enterprises and small businesses .
Thomas Hunter McGowan , CEO for InterTradeIreland , commented : “ We welcome Ken and know that his breadth of experience within the economic development sector will add value to InterTradeIreland ’ s offering . He has supported SMEs right across the industry , from business incubation , managed workspace development and social entrepreneurship through to small business growth .
Ken , who lives in Ballyclare , is married with six children , also has more than 22 years ’ experience working as an economic development advisor to local government . He is a regular speaker at economic development and entrepreneurship conferences locally , nationally and internationally , as well as writing various columns on business issues for a local newspaper .
Commenting on his appointment , Ken said : “ I understand the importance of the crossborder market , having worked in this area for a number of years , stretching back to my early career in the textile industry .
“ I hope to provide further strategic direction to the organisation , as I work closely with the other members of the board and the employees to drive InterTradeIreland forward in these uncertain times .”
Ken has a BA in Business Studies , MBA and MSc in Human Resource Management as well as being a Chartered Manager ( CMgr ) and Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute ( FCMI ). He was one of the founding directors and former chairman of Enterprise Northern Ireland , the association of NI ’ s local enterprise centres .
In 2010 he was the sole Northern Ireland recipient of the Queen ’ s Award for Enterprise Promotion and is a voluntary member of the board of directors of three social enterprises .
Jean-Christophe Novelli to open restaurant at City Quays
One of the world ’ s bestknown and most successful chefs is to take the helm of Belfast Harbour ’ s brand new hotel and signature restaurant development at City Quays , it was confirmed .
Belfast Harbour said multiMichelinstarred and 5 out of 5 AA Rosette awardwinning chef JeanChristophe Novelli has chosen City Quays to open his first and only restaurant on the island of Ireland , which will form part of the new £ 25 million Marriott Hotel .
The fourstar AC Hotel by Marriott Belfast is Belfast ’ s newest waterfront hotel development which will feature the landmark 104seat restaurant , as well as bar , lounge , gym , meeting rooms and almost 190 luxury bedrooms .
The stunning new restaurant will open its doors once the hotel is completed in the first quarter of 2018 as ‘ JeanChristophe Novelli at City Quays ’.
Featuring a double height glazed façade with waterfront views across Belfast Lough , the exclusive restaurant will offer a brasserie menu with all the French flair associated with the UK ’ s favourite French chef . Novelli will be in Belfast in March to reveal more details about his plans .
MBE joy for Deloitte ’ s Jackie Henry
J
ackie Henry , senior partner of Deloitte in Belfast , received her MBE at a recent ceremony in Buckingham Palace . Mrs Henry was awarded the honour in the Queen ’ s birthday honours list for services to the Northern Ireland Economy .
Based in Belfast , she leads Deloitte ’ s public sector consulting business in Northern Ireland and is an active member of the local business community , sitting on the CBI Council and its Public Sector Reform Committee as well as chairing the steering group for the Belfast delegation to the MIPIM investment conference in Cannes .
She has been one of the driving forces behind the rapid growth of Deloitte ’ s Belfast Delivery Centre , which aims to grow its workforce to more than 1,000 in the coming years .
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