Business team toprogress 2013 plans

US Economic Envoy to Northern Ireland Declan Kelly endorsed the move saying it was crucial business was engaged as part of the 2013 project.

The 12 business people will take up their positions as Corporate Ambassadors and help profile the opportunities for business partnerships with city through their extensive local and international networks.

Bro McFerran (CEO All State) Chair of the newly appointed team said: “I am genuinely delighted to be asked to Chair this team of high profile, respected and energetic business leaders.

“We have pulled together a team with local, regional and international experience – combined with the broad spectrum of specialism’s ranging from retail and marketing to inward investment and hospitality.

“All State is a significant investor in the City.

“We see a massive opportunity for both our employees and our business across 2013 and beyond - in short wining the City of Culture title is a game changer for both the City and community.

“We must play our role in maximizing the return on this significant achievement.”

Speaking to the business leader group on behalf of Culture Company 2013, Aideen McGinley said:

“We’ve always shaped the 2013 year as a year of engagement & celebration that can tell a new story about local achievement to an international audience.

“A successful partnership between the public and private sector is essential as we move forward and our early result of announcing our first Commercial Partner, BT, gives us confidence that an ambassador team will lend great support and energy to our target to raise £4m of private sector contributions towards the 2013 year.”

The team led by Chairman Bro McFerran includes Austin Baird (owner of Ravenhill Estates); Terence Brannigan (CBI Chair); Orla Corr (Development Director, McEvoy Group Ltd); David Gavaghan, (Executive Director Quintain Estates and Development PLC); Philip Gilliland, (Londonderry Chamber of Commerce President 2013); Stephen Kelly (MD, Spirit Marketing); Jason Kennedy (Group CEO Grafton Employment Group); Jennifer McKeever (Managing Director, The Airporter); Christine Naylor, (Partner Rockfort Ventures LLP).Tim O’Connor, (Strategic Advisor) and Graham Sutherland (CEO, BT NI and ROI).

The Corporate Leadership Team will be supported by a Corporate Engagement Executive Team over the next three years and have been tasked not only to lever significant match funding and support from the private sector but to ensure business benefits and opportunities are maximized across the programme.

Speaking at the event via video link Declan Kelly, US Economic Envoy to Northern Ireland expressed

his support for the Group and emphasised the need for focused business engagement and ownership across the 2013 programme.

For more information about the Corporate Ambassador Team and how your company may get involved in supporting the City of Culture 2013 please contact [email protected].