2014

NI Chamber moves back to Donegall Square, Belfast after 230 years

Kevin Kingston, Danske Bank, is appointed NI Chamber President

2013

Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce rebranded in line with the British Chambers of Commerce who was recently announced as a British Superbrand. The rebrands most distinguishing feature is the growing “B” logo where B means business and is inspired by growing business networks.

The Chamber also launched its “Growing Something Brilliant” Campaign aimed at inspiring local businesses to set up, grow and export. Joined by the Mayor of London Boris Johnson, Chamber President Mark Nodder launched the initiative in the presence of 200 members of the business community and the First Minister Rt. Hon Peter Robinson, Secretary of State Theresa Villiers and the Ministers for Finance, Employment and Learning, Regional Development and Justice.

2012

Mark Nodder, Group Managing Director of the Wrights Group is appointed President of Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce.

Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce also toasted its 230th Anniversary on 17 April 2012 at a celebration gala ball at Titanic Belfast – the first business event of its kind in the new iconic landmark building. Almost 800 business leaders from across Northern Ireland gathered for the Chamber230 Gala event which featured guest speaker and Irish rugby captain Brian O’Driscoll and entertainer Jamie Cullum.

The Chamber also won a CIM UK Award for Best Not for Profit Marketing Campaign and ended 2012 by being crowned as the UK Chamber of the Year against 52 other Chambers from across the UK.

2011

Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce organised the first ever “5 Leaders 5 Days” series at which the Assembly leaders of each political party outlined their plans for jobs and growth to members of the business community. The Chamber also won a number of awards throughout 2011 including two CIM Marketing Excellence Awards and Chief Executive Ann McGregor also won a Women in Business Award for Outstanding Management / Leadership.

2010

Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce hosts the first visit of the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) to Northern Ireland. The Chamber also launches its first ever policy manifesto – A Manifesto for Growth and Jobs and a strategic plan for 2011-2015. Francis Martin, Managing Partner of BDO is elected as President.

2009

Ann McGregor appointed as new Chief Executive and Bro McFerran elected as new Chamber President. The Chamber achieves Investors in People (IiP) and hosts two keynote events – with Peter Mandelson, Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform and Mervyn King, Governor of the Bank of England.

Offices in Ni Government

1920-1936

7th Marquis of Londonderry

1920
President in 1920.Leader of the senate and minister of Education.

Sir Edward Archdale

1929
President in 1929 and Minister of Agriculture

John Andrews

1936
President in 1936 and was the provence second prime minister in
1940-43

Weaving Business Growth

1970s
William Sinclaire, President of the Chamber (1804-06), played a prominent role in the development of the linen industry .Among Sinclaire’s successors were innovators in both linen manufacture and cotton spinning.

Robert Grimshaw

1857
Robert Grimshaw became president, he was a son of Nicholas Grimshaw from Blackburn who introduced cotton spinning to Ireland in 1776.

James Herdman

1860
James Herdman became President in 1860. He came from Sion Mills County Tyrone and was amongst the best known in linen weaving

John Hind

1861
John Hind was president in 1861 and went together with the Mulholland family to purchase a cotton spinning mill in Francis St and built a new mill at Henry St.

Hugh Montgomery

1802-03
A Linen Merchant.

William Sinclair

1804-06
William Sinclaire became president of the chamber and played a prominent role in the development of the linen industry in Ireland.

Robert Bradshaw

1807-19