New Role: Client Manager - Corporate and Strategic Communications

Position: CLIENT MANAGER (CORPORATE AND STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS)

Experience: Min 4+ years

Area: Corporate / Business / Strategic Communications

Salary: £40k - £45k (more for the right candidate)

Based: Adelaide Street, Belfast City Centre 

About Brown O’Connor Communications

Brown O’Connor Communications is one of Ireland’s most trusted and respected communications advisory firms.

Specialist in Public Affairs, Corporate Media Relations, Issues Management & Crisis Communications, the agency has been awarded the Belfast Chamber Communications Excellence Award, CIPR Best Public Affairs Campaign, CIPR Best Healthcare Campaign, CIPR Best Event and has been named the Chartered Institute of Public Relations Northern Ireland Consultancy of the Year.  

We have a track record for managing and delivering complex corporate media relations and public affairs programmes for some of Ireland’s leading businesses, professional services, charities, trade bodies, interest groups and public-sector organisations.

We help our clients gain impact and outcomes through specialist insight and influence with editors, government ministers, stakeholders, investors and corporate decision makers. 

We are trusted advisors based on our:

Extensive experience working for high-profile, public facing organisations and delivering our services on a range of sensitive issues.

Credibility through the people who make up our team and the approach they take.

Clients who provide endorsement on the reliability and professionalism of our work.

Our Location

Our central office is based in Belfast City Centre managing clients based in Northern Ireland, London, Dublin and the US.

Our Specialist Areas

We are highly regarded for our specialist Public Affairs and Corporate and Strategic Communications services which includes Crisis Communications, Property and Planning Communications, Litigation Communications, Event Management, Political Monitoring and Communication Strategy Development. 

Our Clients

Our consultants work across a range of areas including legal, commercial, financial, financial technology, industrial, manufacturing, public inquiries, regulators, commissions, non-departmental public bodies and the third sector.

Our Approach and Company Culture

The success of Brown O’Connor Communications is based on the performance of its people.

Our rigorous approach delivers positive outcomes for our clients, and we go out of our way to ensure success.

We deliver excellence in all that we do and our team is accountable and responsible for all activity they undertake.

What we offer

• 22 Days Annual Leave and 11 Public Holidays

• Flexible working 1 day per week (Friday)

• Extra Day annual leave for Birthday

• Paid Annual CIPR Membership

• A dynamic working environment in a city centre-based office

• Training opportunities

• Mobile Phone allowance

The Person

Brown O’Connor Communications is seeking a talented and ambitious Client Manager (Corporate and Strategic Communications) to join the team.

This is an exciting and demanding role within a leading consultancy and requires a resilient individual with demonstrable client management and leadership ability.

You may be already working in corporate communications / public relations / public affairs in an agency; as an in-house communications manager; in politics; or as journalist.

You will have a deep professional interest in business, the media and politics and have a detailed understanding of the role that media relations, public affairs, and stakeholder relations plays.

This role will suit a person who is well-organised, proactive, accurate and collaborative.

Role Specification

Strategic Counsel

Proven client handling skills with experience in managing large accounts, providing proactive strategic advice.

Ability to manage a high level of client interaction and be able to design and implement communications strategies.

Expert knowledge of the local business and political environment.

Proven relationships with journalists, editors and business leaders.

Day to Day Delivery

Proven ability to work in a fast paced, often pressurised, outcome orientated environment.

Write strong editorial content on behalf of clients including press releases, opinion/platform pieces and blogs and ensure coverage across a range of media outlets.

Experience in the drafting of media materials that relate to matters such as financial results, senior appointments, mergers and acquisitions, redundancy notifications, investment announcements and general business issues.

Ability to synthesize complex business issues and communicate to a wider range of audiences, often under deadline.

Manage an entire range of suppliers such as photographers, graphic designers, videographers, economists and sectoral experts integral to the successful delivery of client activity campaigns.

Manage corporate communications and public awareness campaigns integrating various methods to create significant public interest.

Be able to create engaging social media content across multiple platforms.

Forward plan to ensure smooth running of client campaigns on time, and within budget.

New Business Development

Take a leading role in new business development and organic growth opportunities alongside company directors and be comfortable in pitching and proposal development.

Supporting successful tender writing from start to submission.

Experience in identifying and converting new business opportunities.

People Management

Line management duties with wider members of team.

Understanding the requirement to work with efficiency and profitably.

Manage team members on client accounts to ensure work is carried out successfully and within allocated budgets.

Work as a team player with Brown O’Connor colleagues to ensure success across client accounts.

Deliver outcomes for clients and work to raise their profile in the media and with key stakeholders in a positive way.

Criteria

4+ years working in the areas of Corporate / Strategic Communications / Public Relations / Public Affairs or within a communications environment.

Third Level Degree or equivalent in the preferred areas of Communications, Law, Politics, Business, Social Science or Humanities.  

Possess strong writing and editing skills with ability to write attention-grabbing media material, client correspondence and reports.

An excellent communicator both written and oral.

Commercially and politically aware.

Outstanding organisational skills and ability to manage multiple projects at the same time.

Strong initiative, leadership skills and work ethic.

Ability to hustle to make things happen.

Willingness to work evenings and weekends as required by client and other activity. 

Clean driving licence and access to a car is a must due to client requirements.

Desirable Criteria

Experience in working in a similar role in the Republic of Ireland.

How to Apply

To apply in strict confidence, please send your detailed CV, covering email and the completed response to the set question below, by email, to Brown O’Connor Communications at hello@brownoconnor.com by 5pm Tuesday 18th March 2025.

QUESTION: Please outline, with examples, how you meet the Criteria as outlined in the Job Specification (Word Limit 300).

Please state your name and ‘CM Corporate Comms 25’ in the subject line.

Application Process

• Initial shortlisting

• Two stage interview

Our Services: Healthcare Communications and Public Affairs

Healthcare Communications and Public Affairs

Brown O’Connor has unrivalled experience in health and social care communications through the development of strategies and campaigns that drive change and improvement in the delivery of health and social care.

We work with government departments, arms’ length bodies, charities, and private sector organisations to develop and deliver public health campaigns, launch evidence-based policy reports, public inquiries and support advocacy efforts and communicate healthcare solutions to policy-makers.

Our services include:

• Political monitoring and horizon scanning

• Policy development

• Media relations and digital content creation to support campaigns

• Stakeholder mapping and analysis

• Stakeholder engagement strategies

• Communication strategy development

• Integrated PR and Public Affairs campaigns  

• Policy-based events

• Political briefings

• Preparation for Committee appearances

Mid South West Region businesses urged to sign up to reduce their energy bills at SME Big Breakfast Briefing

(L-R) Mid South West Region Governance Steering Group Chair, Kevin Savage, Ben Craig, CarbonFit, and Abigail McConville, Executive Director at Simplyfruit, launching the SME Big Breakfast Briefing, which is happening at the Glenavon Hotel in Cookstown on 6 March.

Local small and medium businesses are invited to future-proof their firm and reduce their energy costs by signing up for free Net Zero support at Mid South West Region’s SME Big Breakfast Briefing in Cookstown next month.

The SME Big Breakfast Briefing is taking place on Thursday 6 March at the Glenavon Hotel, where businesses across the three council areas of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough, Mid Ulster and Fermanagh and Omagh can learn about the Mid South West (MSW) Region’s Net Zero Transformation Programme, funded by Innovate UK.

Business owners are urged to act to secure one of the remaining funded places available for SMEs in the Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering; Agri-food and Construction sectors at this sign-up event.

BBC’s Louise Cullen is hosting the briefing, which will feature success stories from local businesses who’ve already participated, insights from Invest NI’s Green Economy Team and a session on how to be the Supplier of Choice in 2025. There will be breakfast and networking from 9:00am before the event starts at 10:00am.

The Carbonfit team will also be on hand to help you sign up and get started. Participants have found their expert support invaluable in navigating their decarbonisation journey, thanks to the hands-on guidance every step of the way. Through detailed audits, businesses receive a clear analysis of their carbon footprint, enabling them to set realistic reduction targets and implement effective sustainability measures.

Annemarie Roddy, Associate Director of Carbonfit, said: “SMEs participating in the MSW Net Zero programme have discovered practical ways to cut energy bills by 10-20%, helping to offset the impact of recent energy price increases. By taking action now, businesses can enhance efficiency, reduce their carbon footprint, and stay competitive in a changing market.”

Abigail McConville, Executive Director at Simplyfruit, said: “Simplyfruit is delighted to attend the MSW Showcase Event on 6th March to share our journey as a programme participant and encourage other businesses to get involved. When we discovered what this programme could do for our business – it was a game-changer.”

Kevin Savage, Chair of the MSW Region Governance Steering Group, said: “Sustainability is a key pillar in transforming the economy in the Mid South West Region so it’s important that businesses are not left behind in the race to net zero.

“We know there are ever increasing demands on small and medium business owners struggling with rising costs. This programme takes away a lot of the hassle by showing you how to make more sustainable choices, helping to lower costs while also giving you a strategic edge in securing contracts.

“I would urge any local business owner operating in one of the target sectors to attend this briefing and secure one of the funded places available. Register your attendance now.”

Our Services - Political Influencing and Government Relations

As Northern Ireland’s leading political influencing agency we bring Insight, Influence and Impact to the lobbying programmes and campaigns we deliver.

Our strategic approach assists in the delivery of core business objectives and helps clients navigate, anticipate, and react to the ever-changing political landscape.

Political engagement, helping to shape policy and providing expert briefing to form responsive legislation has never been more important. Whether it’s a review of current strategy or the development of a new approach, Brown O’Connor has the expertise, energy and trusted advisers in place for you and your organisation to be prepared well in advance.

Our Public Affairs services include:

1. Public Affairs Strategy Development

2. Political Intelligence & Monitoring

3. Policy & Issues Based Events

4. Public Awareness Campaigns

5. Media Relations and Social Media Content Generation

6. Supporting Campaign Related Strategic Litigation

7. Consultation Response Drafting

8. Issues Management

Time to Talk about Mental Health: Survey reveals NI more reluctant to talk about mental health than other UK regions

Kerry Anthony MBE, CEO Inspire NI

New data shows almost 40% in NI prefer to keep silent about mental health rather than risk an awkward conversation

• New research released on Time to Talk Day (Thursday 6 February) reveals that almost four in ten of those surveyed in Northern Ireland (38%) say they would prefer to not talk about their mental health rather than risk an ‘awkward’ conversation.

• UK-wide, bottling things up is causing respondents to feel isolated. Half of under 34s say they have pushed friends and family away or stopped socialising due to wanting to keep quiet about mental health concerns.

• In Northern Ireland, around a quarter (26%) consider open talk of mental health to be a sign of weakness.

The The survey of 5,000 people across the UK was conducted by Censuswide as part of Time to Talk Day, the nation’s biggest conversation about mental health.

The day is run by mental health charities Mind and Rethink Mental Illness in partnership with Co-op and Inspire Wellbeing in Northern Ireland. It aims to spark millions of conversations about mental health in communities, schools, homes, workplaces and online across the UK.  

The survey shows that here in Northern Ireland, more of us (38%) are afraid of the awkward conversation around our mental health than the UK average (33%).

UK-wide, the desire to avoid awkwardness is highest among young people:-

• Half (49%) of 16-24 year olds report pushing people away due to their mental health, compared to 11% over 75s

• 46% of 16-24 year olds say they wouldn’t want to have a conversation about their mental health, compared to just 20% of 65-74 year olds.

• A fifth (20%) say not talking is causing them to struggle at school or work, rising to 37% of 16-24s.

Worryingly, around a quarter (24%) of respondents say keeping quiet has made their mental health worse, again with younger people most impacted at 35%, highlighting the importance of being open.

Inspire Wellbeing, along with Mind, Rethink Mental Illness and Co-op are calling on people to get comfortable talking and start a conversation, however small, about how they are really feeling. Not having conversations, they state, can have a negative impact on all aspects of life, including jobs, relationships, friendships and health.

Kerry Anthony MBE, CEO of Inspire, said:

“We have come so far in our public conversations about mental health and this research shows we need to keep on talking about talking or risk rolling back to the times when these important conversations simply didn’t happen. There can be no doubt that having someone to talk to about your mental health is important. Time To Talk Day is a perfect way for all of us to recommit to creating an open and supportive society where everyone is free to ask, listen and talk.”

Lewis Robinson from North Belfast

Lewis Robinson from North Belfast is taking part in the Time to Talk Day campaign (https://youtu.be/trpJF9syxm0). Lewis said,

“Growing up, I didn’t have many positive male role models who spoke openly about their mental health.  When I don’t talk about what’s on my mind, I tend to spiral negatively, I bottle things up and lock myself away. My family have learned the importance of spending time together. Each night we have a family meal together where we sit down and discuss how our day’s been. Simple acts like that can make it easier to have those big important discussions when something negative is on our mind.”

Dr Sarah Hughes, Chief Executive of Mind, said:

"Talking about mental health isn’t always easy, but as a society, we too often shy away from these conversations out of fear of awkwardness. Our research shows this silence can have a real impact on our lives by creating barriers that push friends and family away, disrupt social lives, and make school or work more challenging.

"This Time to Talk Day, we have an opportunity to break this cycle. Small, everyday actions—like starting a conversation during a walk or a coffee break—can help foster understanding and create an environment where we feel comfortable to talk. Let’s lead by example, listen with empathy, and show that talking about mental health can make a real difference to individuals and our communities."

Rebecca Birkbeck, Director of Community and Member Participation, Co-op, said:

“Mental wellbeing is central to building stronger, more resilient communities, and our members have told us it’s an issue they care about deeply. The research shows that people across the UK don’t want to have conversations about their mental wellbeing as they worry it would be awkward. By working together, we can normalise talking about mental wellbeing and foster a culture where everyone feels supported and connected.”

Mark Winstanley, Chief Executive of Rethink Mental Illness, said:

“These findings are a reminder that while many people may feel awkward talking about mental health, not doing so can have far-reaching consequences. As our survey reveals, staying silent about our mental health is leading to isolation and impacting our lives at work and school, especially among young people. We know that speaking about mental health for the first time can feel challenging, and that many unhelpful thoughts might be preventing you from opening up. But we encourage people to find a place they feel comfortable this Time to Talk Day and start a conversation – you never know the positive difference it might make to you or to the other person.”

For information about Time to Talk Day, including tips on starting the conversation, visit: timetotalkday.co.uk. Follow the conversation on social media #TimeToTalk.  For local services in Northern Ireland, visit www.inspirewellbeing.org

Our Services - Political Perception and Engagement Effectiveness Auditing

Brown O’Connor Public Affairs offers a political audit service allowing your organisation to gain a comprehensive understanding and insight of what political representatives at the Northern Ireland Assembly think and know about you, your key policy areas and the success of your political engagement.

We provide unique, bespoke audit reports, designed for each organisation specifically.

Brown O’Connor can support by:

• Management of bespoke audit from start to finish with regular updates to your organisation on response levels and progress of the audit process;

• Questionnaire Development to ensure detailed and varied responses on the breadth of issues affecting your organisation;

• Identification of target sample groups based on portfolio, interest and awareness of issues, and geographic spread, for example party spokespeople, members of relevant committees and All-Party Groups (APGs)

• Creation of a detailed and comprehensive Final Report with executive summary, detailed survey analysis and recommendations for your organisation on public affairs engagement going forward in line with your aims and objectives

Our Services - Political Monitoring & Intelligence

Brown O’Connor Public Affairs is Northern Ireland’s foremost advisory firm delivering bespoke political monitoring and intelligence gathering services.

Whether its horizon scanning flagging business critical issues; tracking legislation or monitoring committee evidence sessions, we provide full political monitoring services to major business and trade bodies, private sector companies, national campaigning organisations and non-department public bodies.

Our services include:

📌 Early flagging of NI Assembly agenda - the week ahead
📌 Horizon scanning for business critical issues
📌 Monitoring Assembly Oral and Written Questions
📌 Live monitoring of Ministerial Oral Questions
📌 Tracking of Private Members Bills and Executive Bills
📌 Horizon Scanning and tracking of Departmental Consultations
📌 3 months look ahead Political and Business diary
📌 Live monitoring of NI Assembly plenary sessions and committees
📌 Monitoring and reporting of external campaign events at Stormont and beyond

NI construction sector to mark 80th anniversary with gala celebration

CEF launches the Northern Ireland Construction Gala Dinner sponsored by Deane Public Works: (L-R) Steven Oldham, Sales Director, Northstone (Next Generation Sponsor), Mark Spence, CEF Chief Executive, Bryan Vaughan, CEF President, Janet Deane, Financial Director, and Stephen Deane, Managing Director, Deane Public Works.

The Construction Employers Federation (CEF) is set to mark its 80th anniversary at the Northern Ireland Construction Gala Dinner on 27 March 2025.

The star-studded black-tie dinner at Titanic Belfast will celebrate Northern Ireland’s construction heritage and look to the future of the industry, with celebrity guest Kevin McCloud of Channel 4’s Grand Designs, comedy from Neil Delamere and live music.

Launching the event, the CEF announced that the Gala will be proudly sponsored by Deane Public Works.

Janet Deane of Deane Public Works said, “We are a home-grown, family run business founded in 1967, with nearly 60 years in the industry. We are extremely proud to have been a part of the Northern Ireland construction sector for so long. We are delighted to take this opportunity to celebrate the heritage, the successes and the achievements in 80 years of our sector, at this prestigious Gala Dinner. It will be a tremendous event.”

While reflecting on eight decades of historic construction, development and innovation, the event will also have an important forward-look to the future of the industry.

Mark Spence, CEO of CEF explained, “While the construction sector has come a long way in 80 years, one of the biggest challenges we face today is the same as in 1945: attracting skilled workers into a career in construction.  We’re working closely with FE colleges and universities on our Construction Futures programme, aimed at recruiting talented young people to take the sector forward.  We wanted to ensure that young people have a place in this Gala celebration, so we sought a sponsor to cover the cost of 30 places for students or apprentices attending the dinner.  We were thrilled that Northstone jumped at the opportunity.”

Steven Oldham of Northstone said, “We’re really pleased to support the next generation of students and apprentices to attend this landmark gala event. Young people will be essential to the future of the construction sector in Northern Ireland.  They’ll play a vital part in shaping the future landscape of this place and it is essential that they see their place alongside the big names and businesses who have carved out the industry so far. We are looking forward to being the Next Generation sponsor at the Construction Gala Dinner, it’s set to be a fantastic celebration.”

• Tickets for the Gala Dinner, which takes place on Thursday 27 March at Titanic Belfast are available by contacting the CEF on 02890 877143 or email Tracy Windrim: TracyW@cefni.co.uk

Financial situation is “unsustainable and unjust” as Community Pharmacists take plight to Stormont

Community pharmacists from across Northern Ireland have met politicians at Stormont to showcase their role in addressing winter pressures, whilst also highlighting the threat to services posed by imminent National Insurance Contribution hikes. Community Pharmacy NI says the financial blow is “unsustainable and unjust”.

The Chief Executive of Community Pharmacy NI, Gerard Greene, said,

“Community Pharmacists are caught in a desperate dilemma: they are clearly demonstrating their value by absorbing pressure on frontline healthcare services; and yet they’re also experiencing unrelenting financial pressures over which they have no control.

“On one hand, community pharmacies have been instrumental in tackling winter pressures, with the delivery of Flu and Covid-19; and they are testing and treating key health conditions like bacterial sore throats and urinary tract infections (UTIs) so that less patients need a GP appointment; on the other hand, they are about to face huge hikes in their running costs when the new National Insurance Contributions are introduced in April, which they have no way of absorbing.

“National Insurance Contributions paid by employers are due to rise from 13.8% to 15% from 1 April, in a move introduced by UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves in the Autumn Budget. There are also changes to the National Minimum Wage with Community Pharmacy NI estimating that these changes will cost the sector here an additional £10million a year in payroll costs.”

Gerard Greene explained that, in the face of this, the options for the sector are limited and he has warned that the impact will be felt by patients. He continued,

“In the private sector, businesses facing these National Insurance rises will, most likely, consider increasing the prices they charge for goods and services to cover the extra running cost. As a free public health service, community pharmacies do not have this option and unlike the health service they are not protected from these Budget increases.

“The only other way they can reduce the impact of this increased staff cost is to either cut staff numbers, or to reduce opening hours.

“The reality is that individual pharmacy owners are already propping up the cost of providing this national health service from their own savings, so any further increased costs are simply unsustainable and unjust.

“We welcome the opportunity to meet with elected members today to seek their support. We are asking them to make the case at Westminster for relief from the NIC rise for community pharmacies, as well as for GPs, opticians and dentists, all of whom face the same blow from 1 April.”

Danny Donnelly MLA, who chairs the All-Party Group on Community Pharmacy said,

“The meeting of the All-Party Group was testament to the strong support for the sector from MLAs across the Assembly. We all know and value the work done in our communities by Community Pharmacies providing medications and advice and services to people in need in their local areas.

“We heard about the additional pressures on this vital sector from the UK budget and how this will impact pharmacies across Northern Ireland. We need to see the sector stabilised to fully deliver the services we need to keep people healthy and reduce pressure on other areas of the Health Service.”

Community pharmacist Liam Bradley who runs a number of pharmacies in locations in Derry~Londonderry, Tyrone and Enniskillen said,

“In the wake of the recent extraordinary winter pressures felt across Northern Ireland, we are pleased to showcase the success of community pharmacy teams in keeping patients well at home, without the need for a GP appointment or a trip to the Emergency Department.

“We’re extremely proud of the contribution community pharmacy teams have made in tackling the winter pressures across the health service. These services are a strong example of what various Health Ministers have described as the “shift left”, aimed at keeping people as well as possible, as close to home as possible.

“We also know that, with more investment, we could do even more – there is a lot of clinical expertise which could be further tapped into, to boost community-based healthcare.

“With ongoing financial pressures, medicine shortages and fluctuating drug pricing making cash flow very difficult, this move will, categorically, impact on my ability to continue delivering pharmacy services. I simply cannot absorb these cost increases and consequently opening hours and jobs are at risk, which will ultimately affect our ability to deliver for patients.”

Holywell Trust's Leadership Collective Aims to Strengthen Community Impact in the North West

First Leadership Collective meeting at Holywell

Twenty-three people from across the North West have joined Holywell Trust’s first-ever Leadership Collective, aimed at strengthening community impact and fostering collaboration in the region.

Over the next 10 months these leaders from the community and voluntary sector, private and public sector will gain the skills and networking needed to tackle the region's most pressing social, economic, and political challenges in this new programme from Holywell Trust, in partnership with Fermanagh Trust and Rural Community Network which has been made possible thanks to The National Lottery Community Fund.

Participants can expect to enhance their leadership skills to achieve a greater positive impact on their community through reflective, action-oriented learning. Collective Leadership also aims to address regional imbalances by creating stronger cross-sector relationships and increased policy engagement to develop a resilient, sustainable community sector equipped to navigate challenges.

The members of Holywell Trust’s first Leadership Collective are:

1. Aisling Doherty, Service Manager, Action Mental Health

2. Amy McRory, Youth Engagement and Centre Manager, The Rainbow Project

3. Carlene Lyttle, Innovation and Sustainability Lead, Spraoi agus Spórt

4. Carol-Anne O’Kane, Employment Officer, Action Mental Health

5. Damian McKane, Engineer, Seagate

6. David Douglas, Business Consultant

7. Emmett Friel, Actor/Facilitator, Freelance

8. Fiona Jane Garrett, Communications Consultant

9. Fiona Umetsu, Artistic Director, Foyle Obon

10. Francesca Kelly, Owner, Aurora Counselling

11. Glen Miller, Director, D A Miller & Sons Transport Ltd

12. Grainne Robinson, NW Regional Manager, Woven Housing Association

13. Joanna Gray, Head of Northern Ireland Football Fund, Department for Communities

14. Lauren Hegarty, Centre Based Manager, Education Authority Youth Service

15. Louise Collins, Aquaculture Regional Officer North Bord, Iascaigh Mhara

16. Maria Herron, Co-ordinator, Waterside Women’s Centre

17. Michelle McLaughlin, Project Support Administrator, Seamus Heaney HomePlace

18. Myra McAuliffe, ChangeMakers Donegal Project Coordinator, Inishowen Development Partnership

19. Paul Sceeny, Interim Manager, North West Migrants Forum

20. Peter McBay, DCEO, The Bytes Project

21. Sami Shakir, Employment Officer, Glen Development Initiative

22. Steve Bradley, Chair, ‘Into The West’ rail campaign

23. Tommy Canning, Head of Treatment, Northlands Addiction Treatment Centre

As all the participants gathered together for the introductory session at Holywell this week, some of the participants shared their aspirations for the programme.

Joanna Gray from the Department for Communities said:

“Around these tables, there’s such a wealth of diverse experience—from public sector professionals and private sector commercial experts to individuals with extensive community and voluntary sector backgrounds, as well as others in leadership roles.

“I am hoping to be able to give back some of my experience and learning both as somebody who's worked in the area from a public sector point of view, but also someone who lives here as well.

“There’s a real opportunity here to come together and create something truly exciting.”

Local businessman Glen Miller said:

“This is a great opportunity to come together, collaborate more effectively, and unlock the full potential of the North West—both economically and within our communities and groups. The goal is to find ways to tie all of these efforts together for the benefit of everyone.

“We have so much to offer here, so much potential that has yet to be tapped into. It's about securing the resources this area needs to evolve.

“When groups like this come together collectively, they have an incredibly strong voice that demands attention so by working together, shifting the narrative, and turning this into a positive story.”

Myra McAuliffe from Inishowen Development Partnership said:

“We’re involved in many cross-border projects, and given that Inishowen serves as the hinterland of this area and region, it's crucial to understand the challenges that exist. Equally important is maintaining dialogue to find solutions on a North West basis. It's an exciting time for Derry and the North West and there’s a lot to be optimistic about.

“It’s essential to approach this region with a focus on collaboration and relationships, as they are key drivers of the change that must continue.”

Participants will engage with expert leaders from public, private, and community sectors, promoting partnerships that extend beyond traditional boundaries. The programme’s content will tackle crucial issues such as health, housing, education, and labour markets, and incorporates sessions on private sector engagement, equality, diversity, and policy influence.

The programme will be facilitated through monthly workshops, guest speakers, study visits, and virtual sessions to connect participants with leaders across the UK and Ireland. A midpoint study visit to Dublin will allow participants to explore diverse leadership models and reflect on how they can apply these insights to benefit their communities.

Gerard Deane, Director of Holywell Trust, said:

“Leadership Collective is more than just a programme; it’s a catalyst for positive change and a platform for empowering individuals. We’re thrilled to support this incredibly diverse and talented group of individuals who are already making significant contributions to their communities. By equipping them with the tools and knowledge to strengthen their roles as agents of change, we’re helping to create a ripple effect of progress across Northern Ireland.

“This initiative is about fostering collaboration, building connections, and amplifying their impact. We’re genuinely excited to see the results of their shared efforts and the positive difference they will continue to make in their communities and beyond.”