Ellvena Graham elected president of NI Chamber
Leading business woman Ellvena Graham has been elected president of Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NI Chamber).
She is currently chair of the Electricity Supply Board (ESB) and a former head of Ulster Bank in Northern Ireland.
She is also chair of the new Belfast Waterfront and Ulster Hall Ltd Board and of the Northern Ireland Economy Advisory Group (EAG) which provides independent advice to the Minister for the Economy.
She succeeds Ulster Carpets managing director Nick Coburn as president of the business organisation which supports over 1,200 members from across Northern Ireland.
Speaking following her election as President at the NI Chamber AGM in the Fitzwilliam Hotel, Belfast, Ms Graham said: “I am delighted to have been elected as President of the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a role which carries with it a responsibility to support business growth.
“There are many challenges during my tenure in the year ahead. We face the ongoing economic challenges which Brexit poses for our exporters and the wider business community and also the political challenges which have come from the fact that Northern Ireland does not have a functioning government.
“It is vital that following the Westminster elections on 8 June 2017, talks with resume between our political parties so that the political institutions can get up and running again.
“We need to have measures, supported by government which will help businesses and the wider economy in Northern Ireland grow.”
The AGM also saw Allstate NI MD John Healy elected as vice-president with Richard Donnan, Ulster Bank, and Ian Henry of Henry Brothers appointed to the NI Chamber Board.