Economist to start new series of Vital Business Seminars

The subject will be the current state of the Northern Ireland economy and the likely impact and consequences for local businesses. This is especially topical given the recent announcement about pending local redundancies within the Larne Borough.

Angela joined Northern Bank in 2008 having previously worked for the Economic Research Institute of Northern Ireland (ERINI) where she was senior economist. She has 17 years’ experience in the economics field, having previously worked in the Department of Economics at Queen’s University and the former Northern Ireland Economic Council.

Her role is to provide analysis and commentary on Northern Irish, UK and global economic trends, in particular those elements of economic performance which impact the Bank’s personal and business portfolios.

Cllr Martin Wilson, Chairman of Larne Development Forum said: “Angela is an experienced economist with a deep insight into local economic issues. We are very pleased and privileged that she has agreed to address the first seminar in our new series of Vital Business Seminars. Never was there a time when these seminars are more appropriate to the local business community than now”.

Angela has worked on a number of significant research projects in the past including ‘The Cost of Doing Business in NI’, ‘Public Expenditure on Children’, ‘Industrial De-rating’ and ‘The Welfare Trap’.

Angela’s research has predominantly focused on the local economy and has allowed her to touch on a variety of research areas including competitiveness, energy, rating reform, the labour market and education.

Angela, from Holywood Co. Down, has a BSc in Economics from Queen’s University and an MBA from the University of Ulster. Married with two young children, Angela is a keen artist in her spare time and enjoys travelling.

The Vital business seminars are run by Larne Development Forum, the economic development partnership of Larne Borough Council, and are open to any business in the Larne Borough. The seminars are offered free of charge to businesses due to the financial support of Larne Borough Council. It is intended that seminars will run monthly from October 2012 to July 2013 covering topics such as Exporting, Legal issues, Sales and Marketing, Pensions and investments for the self-employed, tax allowances and effective use of social media.

The first in the series will be held at 8.30 am in the new Willowbank Business Park Conference Centre in Millbrook (breakfast available from 8.00am). The seminar will conclude at 10am.