THE British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has announced the appointment of its first president from Northern Ireland in 156 years.
Francis Martin was officially appointed at the BCC’s Annual General Meeting after serving as vice president since 2013. He succeeds Nora Senior who stands down after three years in the post.
Francis, originally from Moy in County Tyrone, is a partner in BDO Northern Ireland and holds more than 20 years’ experience in corporate finance and business strategy development. He was formerly president of Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry and was recently awarded Northern Ireland Dealmaker of the Year 2016.
Commenting on his appointment Mr Martin said: “The British Chambers of Commerce is a powerful advocate for the business community and has strongly represented the diverse interests of our members for more than 150 years. In my tenure as president, I will work with my colleagues and government for the benefit of businesses and communities around the country.
“This is a crucial time for the UK economy and the role of the Chambers of Commerce has become vital as a result. Businesses in the UK are resilient and innovative, but it is imperative that actions needed to sustain competitive trade and support long-term growth are identified and taken by policy makers.”
Welcoming the appointment, Peter Burnside, Managing Partner at BDO Northern Ireland said: “Francis brings strong leadership and exceptional business acumen to the Chambers. His influence and measured approach in challenging situations has helped our clients and our firm to grow considerably in the last decade. I’m pleased that he will continue to lead our ranks while also sharing his experience and guidance through the BCC.”
Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NI Chamber) President Nick Coburn added: “I would like to congratulate Francis Martin on his appointment as President of the British Chambers of Commerce. Francis brings great experience to the role as a former President of NI Chamber, a post he held for two years from 2010. As President of Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry, I will work in partnership with Francis to ensure that the business voice is heard in the Northern Ireland Assembly and at Westminster.”