IoD Northern Ireland

Today the Institute of Directors Northern Ireland held the first in a series of workshops for our Infrastructure and Investment Forum in partnership with Danske Bank UK, KPMG Ireland, SONI - System Operator for Northern Ireland & Gravis Planning. Our expert forum members heard from some of the leading energy experts in Northern Ireland including Gerard Carlin from SONI - System Operator for Northern Ireland, Peter McClenaghan from NIE Networks, Russell Smyth from KPMG Ireland & Steven Agnew from Renewable NI. Our first workshop on energy touched on a number of hugely important topics ranging from grid infrastructure, investor appetite in Northern Ireland, the road to 2050 and many other themes.   The infrastructure landscape in Northern Ireland continues to be a massive challenge to our members and society as a whole. Infrastructure serves as the foundation of our nation's economic growth and development, and together with our partners, IoD NI and our expert forum members will come together to explore these challenges and produce a series of tangible recommendations which will unlock further opportunities and break down some of the existing barriers.

IoD NI members got the opportunity to tour Hutchinson's impressive facilities in Kilrea last week as the second instalment of our 'Talk and Tour' programme! We got to see a behind the scenes at Hutchinson and heard from Mark Hutchinson CDir on the beginnings of the company as SJC Hutchinson Engineering in 1971 to their continued investment in the future of Hutchinson and where they are today. Mark walked us through growing up surrounded by a family business and the process of taking on the reins of the business at a young age and what that entailed for him. Have a look at some of the photos from the event below ⬇️

Today IoD NI and our Infrastructure and Investment Forum Partners met with Minister for Infrastructure Liz Kimmins. We were delighted to discuss with the Minister the launch of our recently formed IoD Infrastructure and Investment Forum and how we can work in partnership with the Department for Infrastructure to deliver on good quality infrastructure outcomes across Northern Ireland and provide some action orientated recommendations to some of the infrastructure challenges facing us as a nation. We look forward to working with Minister Kimmins and her team over the course of this year ahead of our report launch at the end of 2025. Kirsty McManus Dip IoD, MBA / Gerard Carlin / SONI - System Operator for Northern Ireland / Phil Smyth / Danske Bank UK / Ashleen Feeney /KPMG Ireland / David Kerr / Gravis Planning / Department for Infrastructure

A huge THANK YOU to the Institute of Directors, Northern Ireland, who raised an amazing £6,067 for the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland’s Inspiring Growth Fund at their recent Women’s Leadership Conference making their total contribution to the fund, more than £13,000. The dedication and generosity of you and your members is making a real difference in supporting the voluntary and community sector in Northern Ireland. The Inspiring Growth Fund is a partnership between the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland, the Institute of Directors, NI and the business community. It’s all about supporting transformation and growth of the community sector through collaboration and innovation. We’re bringing businesses, the voluntary sector, and community organisations together to embrace AI and digital tools—helping charities grow, adapt, and thrive in an ever-changing world. You can contribute to the Institute of Director’s fundraising efforts by scanning the QR in the image below. Every donation helps drive digital innovation in the voluntary sector! We’re also calling on other businesses to get involved! If you’re passionate about creating social value and empowering communities through technology and collaboration, let’s chat about how you can be part of the Inspiring Growth Fund’s mission. Together, we can transform the future of the voluntary sector in NI!  #InspiringGrowth #CommunityFoundationNI #MakingADifference #CommunityTransformation 

𝗜𝗼𝗗 𝗡𝗜 & RSM 𝗘𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗟𝗮𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵 – ‘𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗱𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀’ The first session in this three-part programme will focus on ‘the art of doing business’ and is designed for aspiring leaders eager to make their mark in the business world. This newly refreshed series will kick off with host Emer Hinphey, Partner at AAB People. Emer will explore the necessary skills required for providing effective leadership and direction, building credibility, and the importance of building a strong professional network. Through her experience of building and selling a business, and her expertise in leadership and organisation development, Emer will begin to unpick some of the differentiating skills and mindsets that set successful leaders apart. 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲, 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗮 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲. 𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 ➡️ https://lnkd.in/e-K_dT8E

𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗕𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 Ready to take your leadership to the next level? The IoD Certificate in Company Direction returns to Belfast this May! Join us from May 18–23, 2025, for an immersive, intensive programme designed for directors and senior leaders. Gain expertise in governance, strategy, finance, and leadership in this intensive 5.5 day course at the Culloden Estate and Spa. Don’t miss this opportunity to sharpen your boardroom skills and boost your career! Find out more: Accelerate your boardroom impact: https://lnkd.in/eawf4nzd #IoD #ProfessionalDevelopment #Director #NorthernIreland

How was this 3 weeks ago? ✨ We are delighted to share a highlights video from the IoD NI Women's Leadership Conference 2025 thanks to the very talented Sheridan Pennell. Thank you to our headline sponsors Herbert Smith Freehills and associate sponsors KPMG Ireland, Henry Brothers Ltd, The Irish News, NIE Networks, SONI - System Operator for Northern Ireland, Danske Bank UK, Cathedral Eye Clinic, Belfast and Translink for making this special day possible. 👏 Can you spot yourself in the video? 🎬 📽️ We already can't wait for #WLC2026 on Friday 6th March! 🤩 Kirsty McManus Dip IoD, MBA | John Hansen | Aoife McCreesh | Chelsea Brennan | Heather White | Institute of Directors (IoD)

Ready to enhance your boardroom skills? 💡 Join us on 2 April 2025 for an online Introduction to the IoD's Diploma in Developing Board Performance. Get an overview of the 3-day programme, understand how it fits into the Chartered Director pathway, and learn how it will improve your performance as a director. Featuring speakers: 🎤 Damon Clark CDir, Course Leader 🎤 Craig Bentley, Branch Chair, IoD Leicestershire & South East Midlands Learn about the course structure, exam process and practical details like costs and dates. ➡️ Sign up now and take the next step in your leadership journey: https://lnkd.in/dE8EjXHv #Development #Professional #Training #Exam #Course #CharteredDirector #InstituteOfDirectors

𝙒𝙚'𝙫𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙙 𝙩𝙬𝙤 𝙨𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙨 𝙛𝙧𝙚𝙚 𝙪𝙥 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙩 - 𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙤𝙪𝙘𝙝 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙖𝙤𝙞𝙛𝙚.𝙢𝙘𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙨𝙝@𝙞𝙤𝙙.𝙘𝙤𝙢 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙚𝙘𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙚! 𝗜𝗼𝗗 𝗡𝗜 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸 & 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 Hutchinson 🏗️ Date: 26 March Time: 12-2pm Venue: Hutchinson, Coleraine In 1971, Creighton Hutchinson founded Hutchinson Engineering to cater to the needs of the local agricultural machinery market. Just three years later, he established a new 10,000 sq. ft facility. In 1997, Mark Hutchinson, son of Creighton, joined the family business and now serves as CEO, leading the company with the same passion and values as his father, with a strong commitment to investing in people. Today, Hutchinson designs and manufactures high-integrity fabrications and sub-assemblies for global machinery brands. They have commissioned the most advanced laser cutting and material storage system in Europe and have been re-accredited with IIP Gold status. In 2023, they welcomed their first wave of international employees to support the company’s growth, continuing to invest in their future. Join us for this lunchtime session to learn about the success of Hutchinson over more than 50 years in business. Book on here: https://lnkd.in/eMK8Yixp

We still have some space left in the April / May edition of IoD NI member magazine. Do you want to contribute some good news from your organisation, a thought leadership article or some advice from your field to your fellow directors? IoD NI's magazine is received by nearly 1000 businesses and directors in Northern Ireland and is free of charge for IoD members to contribute to. Don't miss this opportunity to get yourself or your business out in front of the business community in Northern Ireland. Contact aoife.mccreesh@iod.com for more details on submitting an article before the 28th March 2025. Have a look at our last edition for some inspiration on your articles ⬇️