BDO Northern Ireland and Bank of Ireland (UK)’s new report, “Driving Leadership in En-terprise” has been produced following a series of interactive seminars, attended by some of Northern Ireland’s leading female business leaders.

The aim of the seminars was to identify and share the trends, challenges and insights that leaders in enterprise face in Northern Ireland. The four key themes of Strategy & Planning, Customers, Innovation and Confidence clearly emerged as the areas requiring focus in driving leadership in enterprise forward in the region.

Evidenced throughout the series of seminars was the passion and desire of the attendees to lead the growth of enterprise in Northern Ireland, and a consensus that through a combined macro and micro focus on these common themes, the Northern Ireland business community can thrive and become a leading driver of enterprise.

The report was launched by Belfast Lord Mayor Nichola Mallon who welcomed the report and the partnership approach between BDO and Bank of Ireland (UK) which led to its publication.

Commending the initiative, she said: “This Report highlights important issues such as access to information on funding, where to seek out new markets and new customers, and the need for less bureaucracy. However the most striking thing for me is the sense - from those who took part in the seminars - of the positive, ‘can do’ attitude and the willingness to share experience and offer help to those like minded individuals who are making a difference in the business world.

“That is the true value of networking - and I applaud it,” the Lord Mayor added.

BDO partner Laura Jackson explained the context for the seminars,

“The series was born out of an event held in October 2013 which raised funds and awareness for Action Cancer. Our guests that day expressed a desire to continue their discussions, and that led to our seminars being held earlier this year. This report captures the very positive discussion and we have captured the wealth of their experience and learn from each other. BDO is proud to be involved and to support business’ ambition in Northern Ireland, a place that has unique businesses advantages. This group of leaders has captured important calls for action that can be implemented within individual businesses and at a more strategic level.

“In each instance there was a very positive discussion and we have captured that in this important publication.”

The four seminars took place in April and May 2014 and focussed on:

Business entry & exit

Growing your business and maximising revenue

Cash flow and finances

Increasing your client base

Maria McAllister from Bank of Ireland (UK) said,

“Bank of Ireland is committed to supporting the growth of Business in Northern Ireland’s and we are delighted to have hosted this very relevant series of seminars in partnership with BDO. Thanks to the attendees and our four speakers, Eleanor McEvoy from Budget Energy, Nora Senior of British Chambers of Commerce, Jayne Brady from Kernel Capital and Helen Kirkpatrick from UTV and Kingspan, for their open and candid sharing of information and experiences. The contributions were so valuable that it led to the production of the report which we believe will be helpful to other business owners out there who are playing a vital role in the growth of Northern Ireland Plc.”

The full report Driving Leadership & Business is available for download here or from either

Bank of Ireland website - http://boini.bankofireland.com/business/

BDO - www.bdoni.com

ENDS

For further information on this press release please contact Brendan Mulgrew,