IoD NI - A message from our Chair
Dear IoD members,
As we head into the final months of the year, I wanted to share with you what’s been happening lately across IoD Northern Ireland.
From championing better infrastructure and skills to delivering first-class training and brilliant events, our members have continued to lead from the front. I hope this short blog gives you a sense of the progress we’ve made and the direction we’re heading.
IoD NI & Bank of Ireland Annual Dinner 2025
The 2025 IoD Northern Ireland Annual Dinner brought together business leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders to celebrate the resilience and success of Northern Ireland’s business community.
As Chair of IoD NI, I had the honour of addressing an incredible room of friends and members. I reflected on what we’ve achieved together in what has been another challenging but progressive year. We’ve expanded and revitalised key programmes from our Emerging Leaders and Finance Directors Forums to the launch of the Infrastructure & Investment Forum. Our Policy Forum continued to drive meaningful, cross-departmental engagement, and our members helped raise over £140,000 for the Community Foundation Northern Ireland fund, which will support local charities later this year.
I also highlighted some of the positive developments in our economy – including strong growth in exports, rising earnings, near-record employment, and the success of five Northern Ireland companies now valued at over £1 billion. These are not just statistics; they reflect the hard work, innovation, and leadership of people across our business community.
However, I also acknowledged the real challenges we continue to face – from economic inactivity and skills shortages to a lack of long-term infrastructure planning. That’s why I urged our political leaders to move beyond short-term decisions and work with us in business to deliver lasting, strategic change.
Some practical proposals and call to action for our government:
- Appoint an EU Economic Envoy for Northern Ireland
- Tackle economic inactivity
- Focus on apprenticeships, skills, and infrastructure
- Establish an Infrastructure Commission
- Reform Civil Service
- Collaborate on £7.3bn UK National Wealth Fund
- Approach corporation tax within a broader, joined-up strategy
As I look ahead, I remain optimistic. We have the talent, the ambition, and the opportunity to make Northern Ireland not just a great place to do business –
but a truly world-class region to live, work, and lead.
IoD NI will continue to be a force for good—supporting responsible leadership, professional development, policy influence, and business growth.
Let’s work together to build a stronger, fairer, and more prosperous Northern Ireland.
Professional Development
Our outstanding professional development programme has been one of the key successes this year as we lead the UK in director training participation outside London.
So far in 2025, we have proudly awarded:
- 12 Chartered Directors
- 32 Certificates in Company Direction
- 12 Diplomas in Company Direction this year
More than 60 directors and senior leaders took part in our development courses, which is a testament to the commitment within our community to enhance leadership skills and governance.
IoD has also launched a new programme this year in partnership with the University of St Andrews – the Global Certificate in Company Direction! This transformative programme beginning on the 18th October empowers directors to meet the complex challenges of the global business landscape. It will equip directors with the knowledge, skills and strategic insight to lead effectively, and has an inspiring line-up, including a masterclass from the incredible Erin Brockovich.
Other recent IoD NI events
A Decade of Dedication to IoD NI
IoD Northern Ireland recently celebrated a significant milestone – recognising members who have been part of the organisation for over a decade. The special event honoured their long-standing commitment, leadership, and contributions to the local business community. It was a proud moment for the IoD NI team, highlighting how the strength and success of the organisation is built on the dedication of its members. Here’s to the next decade of shared growth and leadership.
Business ‘Talk & Tour’ at Dale Farm
Third regional event in the IoD NI “Talk & Tour” series – visiting regional businesses to discuss leadership, growth, regional perspectives and hear more about the recent expansion Dale Farm has delivered at their Dunman facility in Cookstown.
Autumn Director Masterclass with Belfast Harbour
A half-day intensive masterclass for senior directors focusing on change in business: AI, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (DEI), Innovation.
Speakers at the event included:
- Joe O’Neill – CEO, Belfast Harbour Commissioners
- Martin McKay – Founder & Executive Chairman, Everway
- Andrew Gough – Managing Director, GCD Technologies
- Mike Dawson – People & Corporate Services / Digital Transformation Director, Belfast Harbour Commissioners
- Jim Fitzpatrick – Event Host & Journalist, The Irish News
A highlight of this event was the unveiling of the IoD NI Chair’s Award for Excellence in Director & Board Practice to Vicky Davies OBE, Danske Bank followed by a fireside chat where she shared her leadership experiences. Huge congratulations to Vicky, a very worthy winner!
Thanks as always to our members for your ongoing support.
We look forward to continuing to work with you for the rest of the year and into 2026.
John Hansen
Chair, Northern Ireland
