Welcome to a new edition of The Journal.

It has been a busy winter period for the Society, both in terms of delivering events and representing members’ interests.

One of our standout events, the Charity Lunch, took place just before Christmas, and I am delighted to report that together we raised an amazing £15,000 for Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice. Those who attended will have heard first-hand about the extraordinary difference the charity makes to families facing the most difficult and challenging circumstances. I would like to thank everyone who contributed to this fantastic total – your generosity amazes me and it will make a real difference to local families when they need it most.

Another major highlight in recent weeks was our Institute’s Annual Dinner in Dublin, featuring guest speaker Munster and Ireland rugby legend Peter O’Mahony. I would like to congratulate our

President, Pamela McCreedy, on a superb event. It was a fitting celebration of both our profession and the impact of our Institute.

Representing Members

A core part of our remit is to represent the views of our members and speak on behalf of the wider business community. I am pleased to say that we have been particularly active in this area over recent months.

During this period, we have met with all five of Northern Ireland’s main political parties to discuss key issues affecting the business community, including the potential for a reduction in Corporation Tax as part of a modern industrial strategy—one that gives Northern Ireland a clear, credible economic direction.

In January, we also presented to both the Finance Committee and the Economy Committee of the Northern Ireland Executive on this issue. Against the backdrop of significant pressures on public finances, our Institute believes that a cut in the Corporation Tax rate could be a genuine game changer. With a reduced CT rate as part of the right policy mix, we can leverage our unique market position, attract global investment, support local businesses, and create high value jobs across the region and make things better for all. We continue to engage with other business representative bodies to ensure a strong and united voice is presented to our political leadership. Plenty more to hear on this in the coming months.

Our Member Survey, which seeks views on current economic conditions in Northern Ireland, is now open. If you have not already done so, I would encourage you to take ten minutes to complete the survey using the link emailed to you. Your feedback is invaluable in informing our engagement with politicians and policy-makers and ensures that we accurately represent your views.

Looking Ahead

The first half of the year includes some of our most significant events, with the Annual Dinner taking place on 26 March and our Annual Conference in Toronto from Thursday 30 April. Both promise to be real highlights in the Society’s calendar. It’s worth noting that our Toronto Conference marks 25 years of our partnership with Danske Bank, and we will be celebrating that landmark and all of the benefits it has brought to members.

Alongside these flagship events, we will continue to deliver a full programme of targeted sessions, combining networking opportunities with technical content, and offering a mix of in-person and virtual formats.

Aside from the events programme, members should be aware that we have a dedicated staff team based in Belfast to support you with any queries. I am pleased to share that the team has recently been strengthened with the appointment of Sinead Fox-Hamilton as Head of Engagement for Northern Ireland.

Many members will already be familiar with Sinead, and I wish her every success in her new role. The Officer Group and Committee of the Ulster Society look forward to working closely with her to continue delivering for members across Northern Ireland.

Thank you.

Mark Lawther, Chairman