Strong leadership crucial to the future of Northern Ireland companies
n reflection 2016 has provided a somewhat unsteady , unpredictable
Olandscape for business in Northern Ireland in the coming years . It is on this basis that many companies are looking to either consolidate or implement a growth strategy by closely examining their leadership structure , including their Boards .
For many organisations , a strong Board can be the difference between adapting to change and thriving on it , or failing to adapt and failing as a result . The advisory role of Non Executive Directors ( NEDs ) in particular is becoming crucial to companies in Northern Ireland – particularly SMEs and familyowned businesses .
4c ’ s Founder and Managing Director , Gary Irvine , believes that due to the UK ’ s impending exit from the EU , the requirement for strong NEDs will see a notable increase : “ The need for NEDs that can provide expertise and leadership will rise significantly over the next few months and even years . The Brexit vote and now the election of Trump as President of the United States have created both uncertainty that will put many Northern Ireland companies on edge , and opportunities that can be exploited enabling organisations to grow .”
Highlighting the increased desire for strong leadership via NEDs , an independent study recently carried out by 4c of Northern Ireland companies found that 35 per cent of respondents are currently experiencing skills gaps on their Board , with 33 per cent of respondents saying they plan to recruit more NEDs onto their Board in the coming months to
Fitzwilliam and Fitzwilliam are business hotels of the year , says Georgina Campbell
he Fitzwilliam Hotel Belfast and The Fitzwilliam Hotel Dublin have been
Tnamed Business Hotel of the Year 2017 at The Georgina Campbell Awards .
The Georgina Campbell Awards are Ireland ’ s longest running and most respected hospitality awards , seeking out the best in food and hospitality . They independently assess and award a wide variety of fine dining and casual restaurants , accommodation , chefs and hosts to culminate the annual ‘ best in class ’ list .
The Fitzwilliam Hotel , Belfast has won the prestigious accolade of Business Hotel of the Year for its first class facilities and service . Situated in the city centre , it boasts 130 guestrooms and four stylish meeting rooms overlooking Howard Street and Great Victoria Street , all equipped with stateoftheart audiovisual equipment ; some of the most contemporary meeting space in Belfast .
Search Consultant Gareth Hanna with 4c ’ s Founder and Managing Director , Gary Irvine tackle the issue .
4c Boardroom , which is headed by Search Consultant Gareth Hanna , was established in 2016 in response to companies coming to 4c seeking an NEDspecific search service . It focuses exclusively on the recruitment of NEDs across the private and public sectors in Northern Ireland and further afield .
Gareth commented : “ NEDs have the ability to bring a high level of knowledge , experience and strategic outlook required to drive growth and financial performance of a business . This support , coupled with ensuring effective corporate governance , could prove invaluable to local organisations when negotiating the complexities of the changing business environment as the UK prepares to leave the EU .
“ NEDs traditionally can come with a number of benefits to the company availing of their expertise . The most valuable services attributed were assisting with developing strategy , improving corporate governance , challenging the company ’ s Executive team and in particular , gaining access to new contacts and networks .”
Mr Irvine concluded : “ 4c Executive was established to become the leading provider of true executive search in Northern Ireland . In filling over 140 highlevel assignments in NI and GB over the past three years , we have reached that goal . However , it was based on the increasingly specific requirements around NEDs that we put 4c Boardroom into place .”
With changes to the business landscape imminent , 4c predicts companies will be looking to secure the best expertise available to take them in the right direction .
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