Big changes to board as Ards Business Hub

One of Northern Ireland’s top marketing professionals, Lydia McClelland has been appointed as Vice Chair, while Specsavers’ Regional Manager for Northern Ireland Nikki Gardner has been appointed to the board.

Ms McClelland, who recently launched her own business growth and marketing consultancy, said she was relishing her new leadership role in stimulating enterprise in the Ards and North Down area.

She continued: “There is so much to offer businesses in the Ards and North Down area and I am looking forward to working closely with our chair, David Blevings and our management team to progress the mission of Ards Business Hub to grow the local economy.”

Ms Gardner, who is from Newtownards, said that she wanted to give something back to her local business community and help young people fulfil their ambitions to run their own companies.

She explained: “I have been in optics and audiology for 18 years and felt it was time to use my experience to support local business in Newtownards. Ards Business Hub provides a really good location and facilities to help small businesses to grow. On the training and education side it is about giving people the confidence and skills to run their own businesses.”

Board Chair David Blevings said the new additions to the board would help Ards Business Hub grow in strength to meet the tough economic challenges ahead.

He added: “I think we have done very well during unprecedented times and would pay tribute to the staff and the strong leadership team, which continued to remain open and provide a service to our tenants. Occupancy levels remain high and we are optimistic about the future as business is rebounding from the effects of the pandemic. Our Chief Executive Nichola Lockhart and her team have worked tirelessly to give tenants the latest Covid-19 updates and help them understand and comply with the new guidelines.”

Mr Blevings also paid tribute to outgoing board member Alan Burnside, one of Northern Ireland’s leading PR and public affairs consultants, who has stepped down: “Alan was on the original board 30 years ago and after leaving us for six years he came back to help us with our new strategic vision to develop business and expand our services. We would like to thank him for his dedication, knowledge and support and wish him well for the future.”

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