Business First September 2017 Business First September 2017 | Page 6

IN THE HEADLINES
Ireland’s 2017 Young Chartered
Star is Fox Hamilton
Kirsty McManus
to lead IoD into a
positive future
he Institute of Directors’ new National
Director in Northern Ireland, Kirsty
McManus, has vowed to further
strengthen the voice of business as she
commenced her post at the leading business
organisation.
Formerly Head of Business Development at
the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce
and Industry, Kirsty’s appointment followed a
successful career during which she has held
senior positions at the University of Ulster,
CBI and Vistage.
Kirsty has joined the IoD to replace former
National Director Linda Brown, who retired
in July following 23 years at the organisation.
Kirsty said: “The IoD is known nationally as
the voice of business and for the tremendous
work it carries out in raising standards in
corporate governance and improving
economic standards for all.
“I look forward to further strengthening
that voice in Northern Ireland as we seek to
build relationships with businesses across all
sectors, politicians, local government and the
public sector.”
Congratulating Kirsty on her appointment,
IoD Northern Ireland Chair, Ian Sheppard,
said: “Kirsty brings a wealth of relevant
experience to the role and will build on the
current foundations to further enhance the
work of the Institute in supporting the
development of professional leaders in
Northern Ireland.
“The IoD is dedicated to supporting our
members, encouraging entrepreneurial
activity and promoting responsible business
practice for the benefit of the business
community and society as a whole.
“Kirsty will work to grow the IoD’s
membership through development and
networking programmes as well as
strengthening relationships with businesses,
politicians, local government and the public
sector.”
T
Sinead Fox Hamilton is the Young Chartered Star for 2017
young accountant will represent
Chartered Accountants Ireland at the
‘One Young World’ conference in
Bogotá, Colombia, later this year after
winning the ‘Young Chartered Star’ 2017
competition.
Chartered Accountants Ireland
congratulates Sinead Fox Hamilton ACA, who
will represent the Institute at the prestigious
international conference from 4 ­ 7 October
2017, along with other representatives of the
Chartered Accountants Worldwide network.
Sinead, 32, from Dungannon, Co Tyrone,
qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2011.
She trained with KPMG in Belfast and worked
in industry for a number of years. She has
since moved into a career in recruitment in
the finance sector in Belfast with specialist
firm McKinty Associates.
To enter the competition, Sinead wrote an
article on her career and particularly
impressed the judging panel with her activity
as an advocate for the Chartered Accountant
qualification, and her honest portrayal of her
path to qualification, and balancing a
demanding job with a professional education
programme. The panel also noted her
involvement in several charities and
voluntary work.
A
About Young Chartered Star
Launched last year, Chartered Accountants
Ireland’s ‘Young Chartered Star’ (YCS)
recognises exceptional achievement amongst
its trainees and members aged 35 years or
under. The award gives student and
members the opportunity to share their
4
www.businessfirstonline.co.uk
experiences and ideas among the wider
Chartered Accountants Ireland membership,
with the successful candidate invited to
attend the prestigious annual ‘One Young
World Summit’. YCS is awarded to someone
who will lead, motivate and inspire the next
generation.
Members and students under the age of 35
entered by writing an article on LinkedIn to
detail their career path to date, the impact of
the Chartered Accountant qualification on
their life, as well as their future ambitions
and advice for anyone considering Chartered
Accountancy as a career.
Sinead Fox Hamilton said: “I am absolutely
thrilled and humbled to be the winner of the
2017 Young Chartered Star competition. The
quality of all the entries was remarkable – it
was unbelievably inspiring to read the career
paths and achievements of my fellow young
members. I have always been a keen
champion for Chartered Accountancy and I
feel privileged to have the chance to
represent the profession at the One Young
World Summit in Colombia in October. I look
forward to sharing my experiences from this
trip of a lifetime.”
Chair of the YCS judging committee and
Council member Barry Doyle FCA added:
“Each year we continue to find members
and students with inspiring and fascinating
stories of how our profession has helped
them and others to grow and to succeed.
Above all, the judging panel was excited to
see the overwhelming support for the
profession and our involvement in the One
Young World Summit."