Belfast Chamber appoints two of city’s tech leaders onto its board

Darragh McCarthy, Founder and CEO of FinTrU and Samantha Kirk, VP of Engineering and Belfast site lead of Silicon Valley-based software firm Dynamic Signal were elected by the Chamber’s membership at its recently held Annual General Meeting.

Welcoming Samantha and Darragh to the Belfast Chamber Board, President Michael Stewart said: “Belfast Chamber has been growing in size and stature over recent years and that growth has seen our membership expand amongst the city’s fast-growing tech sector.

“We are absolutely delighted to have two tech leaders of the calibre of Samantha and Darragh on our Board.

“The economic crisis caused by the restrictions imposed to stop the spread of Covid-19 has starkly illustrated the symbiotic relationship between all of the sectors of our city’s economy.

“Our retailers and hospitality businesses rely on companies in the tech sector and vice versa.

“Our city’s economy is an ecosystem and it is great to have the tech sector, which is and will continue to be a hugely important part of the Belfast economy, represented on our Board and I look forward to the contribution that Darragh and Samantha will make to Belfast Chamber’s work to rebuild Belfast and thrive in the time ahead.”

Commenting on her new appointment, Samantha Kirk said she was delighted to be joining the team and was hoping to build on Belfast’s growing reputation as a first class business destination.

She also highlighted that Belfast had recently being named by the Financial Times as one of its top ten tech cities of the future

She explained: “I am really pleased to be joining the Board of Belfast Chamber and look forward to working with Michael and the team to help amplify the voice of business in the city at what is a crucial period for our economy.

“Belfast is growing a worldwide reputation as somewhere that produces great talent that attracts Tech companies like Dynamic Signal and that’s why we have established a technology centre in the city.

“We know that we are facing into challenging times but with Belfast recently being named by the Financial Times as one of its top ten tech cities of the future, our sector will be at the heart of the Belfast economy as it bounces back and I know that Belfast Chamber will be to the fore in fighting for the city’s business community.”

Darragh McCarthy added: “FinTrU has been a part of the Belfast economy since 2014 with the city’s ability to produce skilled workers key to our firm’s success and the success of the local tech sector.

“Belfast Chamber’s focus on how the city can regenerate in ways that attract and retain talent is something that is central to securing that ongoing success. Belfast Chamber has been striving during the coronavirus pandemic to deliver for its members and that same sort of effort will be required as we begin the recovery.

“Working collectively as a business community to help shape the future of our city is so important and bringing businesses together is what Belfast Chamber is all about and our unified voice at this really difficult period will be more needed than ever.”

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