Tuesday 20th October 2015 • Culloden Hotel, Belfast

www.agendaNi.com

Annual Northern Ireland Economic Conference 2015

A new era of economic responsibility?

The key issues that will be addressed atthe 2015 summit will include:✓ Increasing productivity

✓ Enhancing competitiveness

✓ Northern Ireland as an economic brand

✓ Role of Belfast in driving the regional economy

✓ Skills and economic inactivity

✓ Fostering entrepreneurship

✓ Promoting innovation

✓ Local enterprise development

✓ Impact of Brexit on Northern Ireland

✓ Implications of public sector reform

✓ The living wage

Why should I attend?

Northern Ireland’s economic summitThe Northern Ireland Economic Conference, now in its 20th year, is Northern Ireland’s major

annual economic analysis event considering the performance of, and prospects for, Northern

Ireland’s economy. Every year, the conference attracts a high profile panel of local and visiting

speakers and is attended by economic policy-makers and business leaders from across all sectors.

It is a one-stop-shop for all the latest information on the local economy as well as an excellent

opportunity for networking and discussion with key players in the economy, across all sectors.

Reasons to be cheerful?On taking up office earlier this year, new Enterprise, Trade& Investment Minister Jonathan Bell, MLA was upbeatabout the performance of the local economy: “Theeconomic recovery is progressing well…We have positivenews across many indicators including a growing privatesector, increasing job numbers and signs of growth inconstruction which had struggled despite the wider upturnin the economy”.

One of the key roles of the Annual Northern IrelandEconomic Conference is to look at the overall picture forthe Northern Ireland economy, behind the headline figures,and to assess the future outlook – a key feature of this isthe annual economic forecast produced by leadingeconomist and Director of the Ulster University EconomicPolicy Centre, Professor Neil Gibson.

While some economic forecasters are predicting the local

“good overview of current

economic conditions, presented in

easy to understand language”

economy will grow by 1.9% in 2015 and 1.8% the followingyear, the UUEPC’s GVA forecast drops to 1.1% in 2016against a UK figure of 1.5%. It cites the continuingdownward trend in government spending following theConservative party’s election win as one of the key reasonsand categorises its most recent forecast as being “one ofausterity”. This is borne out by other local economists withfigures from both the Ulster Bank and PwC suggesting aslowdown in the recovery.

Feedback from conference participants“very interesting strategic

perspectives presented”

✓ Major economic summit

✓ Economic outlook & forecast

✓ Unique information presented

✓ Not-to-be-missed conference

✓ Unrivalled networking opportunity

Supported by

“excellent overall”“presentations very helpful and

interesting…well presented”

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United KingdomForecasts

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5.7

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Agriculture+1,300

Manufacturing+3,300

Construc on+1,800

Retail+1,500

Accommoda on+1,800

ICT+2,300

Administra onServices+2,200

Professional& Scien fic+3,600

OtherPrivate Sector

+3,000

PublicSector-8,400

Sterling exchange rate£ Uncertainty

in Eurozone€Fall in oilprices

Significantwage growth

Less severe public spending cuts

Lower infla on than projected - keeping interest rates low

Forecast is for approx 21,000 new private sector jobs over the next 4 years, significantly

more than 14,000 created in the recovery period to date.  This growth will be partially

offset by a reduction of just over 8,000 public sector jobs.

More optimistic economic forecasts require

Macro-economic factors impacting NI/UK performance

NI employment forecast - 2014-18 selected sectors

NI economic growth to slow in medium term as private sector picks up slackNorthern Ireland economy: A snapshot

Highlights from UU EPC Spring 2015 forecast

e

09.00 The Northern Ireland economy in the UK and all-island contextChairman’s introduction: John Campbell, Economics & Business Editor, BBC Northern Ireland

The Northern Ireland economic outlook: Can private sectorgrowth offset public sector austerity

Neil Gibson, Director and Professor of Economic Policy Ulster University Economic Policy Centre

UK economic outlook: Examining the key drivers

Colm Sheehy, Senior Economist, Centre for Economics & Business Research

Growing an economy in the wake of the global financial crisis

Robert Watt, Secretary General, Department of Public Expenditure & Reform

conference programme

ECONOMIC OUTLOOK

UK ECONOMY

POLITICAL PANEL DISCUSSION

Paul Frew, MLA DUPConor Murphy, MLASinn Féin

Questions & answers / Panel discussion

11.00 Morning coffee / networking opportunity

Patsy McGlone, MLASDLP

ROI ECONOMY

Looking to a new era of economic responsibility: The political parties’ perspectivesAs we look ahead to next year’s Assembly elections, this is an important opportunity for delegates tohear directly from the local political parties on their economic priorities. In particular it will be a platformfor the politicians to set out their party’s views on key issues such as the devolution of corporation taxand overcoming the welfare reform challenge. As we enter a new era of economic responsibility, howwill our local Executive respond to the challenge?

Trevor Lunn, MLAAlliance Party

Adrian Cochrane-Watson, MLAUlster Unionist Party

14.00 Examining key aspects of a dynamic economy

Embedding vocational education and training in the schools system: Impact on jobs and the economyManfred Polzin, Senior Policy Advisor, International Affairs MBO Raad, (Netherlands Association of VET Colleges)

Technology as a driver of the regional economyGerry Kindlon, President, Londonderry Chamber of Commerce & Executive Director, Seagate

Examining the relationship between Britain and Europe: The risk of BrexitRoger Liddle, Chairman, Policy Network

Economic analysis of the living wage in Northern IrelandEoin Rooney, Economic Researcher

Northern Ireland as an economic brandJohn McGrillen, Chief Executive, TourismNI

Enhancing connectivity and enabling trade: The role of Belfast Harbour Speaker tbc, Belfast Harbour Commissioners

Questions and answers / Panel discussion

Growing an enterprise economy: What makes businesses successful?Professor Mark Hart, Professor of Small Business & Entrepreneurship, Aston Business School & Deputy Director National Enterprise Research Centre

conference programme

12.45 Conference lunch / networking break

11.15

VOCATIONAL TRAINING

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

EUROZONE

TECHNOLOGY

INEQUALITY

TOURISM

CONNECTIVITY

16.30 Conference close

Tackling inactivity: A key economicimperativeDerek Baker, Permanent SecretaryDepartment for Employment and Learning

Northern Ireland’s competitiveness scorecardEllvena Graham, Chair, Economic Advisory Group

Productivity as the key to sustainedeconomic growthRafal Kierzendowski, Head of UK deskEconomics Department, OECD

Is austerity the ‘necessary solution’ for theUK economy?Andrew Baker, School of Politics, InternationalStudies & Philosophy, Queen’s University, Belfast

Questions & answers / Panel discussion

Essential economic drivers for a growing economy

Fostering entrepreneurship andpromoting innovation: The EER AwardBert Kuby, Head of Unit, EU Committee of theRegions

Supporting entrepreneurship andinnovation in SMEsBarney Toal, Director & Chief ExecutiveNORIBIC Business & Innovation Centre

Growing the economy: A key localgovernment priorityKen Nelson, Chief Executive Officer LEDCOM

Enterprise development in ScotlandLinda Hanna, Managing Director, Strategy &Services, Scottish Enterprise

Questions & answers / Panel discussion

Growing an enterprise economy

Hear speakers from:

COMPETITIVENESS

PRODUCTIVITY

SKILLS

AUSTERITY

15.15 Afternoon coffee / networking break

Skills and economic activityDerek Baker is Permanent Secretary at the Department for Employment andLearning, having previously held senior positions in a number of departmentsincluding the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, the Departmentfor Social Development, the Department of Finance and Personnel and Departmentof Education. He graduated from Queen’s University Belfast in 1980 with a BA Honsdegree in French and German.

Conference chairJohn Campbell is Economics and Business Editor for BBC Northern Ireland, a positionhe has held since September 2013. Prior to that he was a senior BBC producerworking across TV, Radio and Online with special responsibility for business coverage.He began his career on the Liverpool Daily Post and Echo.

Political panel discussionAdrian Cochrane-Watson is an Ulster Unionist Party MLA for South Antrim, a rolehe took up earlier this year having replaced Danny Kinahan following his election toWestminster. He is a member of the Enterprise, Trade & Investment Committee andalso sits on the Regional Development Committee. Adrian has been a member of theUUP for 25 years and first joined Antrim Borough Council in 1997, remaining on theCouncil until earlier this year – during this time he served one two occasions as bothMayor and Deputy Mayor of the borough.

Political panel discussionPaul Frew is a DUP MLA for North Antrim and is a member of the Committee forEnterprise, Trade and Investment. Paul also serves as Chairperson on the BallymenaCouncil Economic Development Committee. In June 2010 Paul joined the NorthernIreland Assembly and was successfully re-elected to the Assembly in 2011. Paul iscurrently the Chair of the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee; and amember of the Chairperson’s Liaison Group. He also represents the DUP as ViceChairperson on the All Party Group on Construction.

Economic forecastNeil Gibson is the Director of the Economic Policy Centre at Ulster University, whichregularly assesses the state of the local economy as well as informing and critiquingNorthern Ireland Executive policies. Neil was formerly the Director of OxfordEconomics and before that worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers and the NorthernIreland Economic Research Centre. Neil is one of Northern Ireland’s best knowneconomic commentators.

CompetitivenessEllvena Graham is Chairman of the Economic Advisory Group (EAG) and is SeniorIndependent Non-Executive Director of the Electricity Supply Board (ESB) in Ireland.She is also a Board member of the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce & Industryand a member of the Advisory Board of the Women's Executive Network in Ireland.Ellvena has over 30 years’ experience in banking, most recently at ExecutiveManagement level within Ulster Bank, where she was Head of Ulster Bank in NorthernIreland and Managing Director of SME Banking across the island of Ireland. Prior tothat, Ellvena held the position of Chief Operating Officer for Ulster Bank Group. Sheis a Fellow of the Institute of Banking.

Enterprise development in ScotlandLinda Hanna is Managing Director of Strategy & Sectors at Scottish Enterprise whereshe oversees Scottish Enterprise’s planning and prioritisation in response to both theGovernment’s Economic Strategy and industry leadership groups, which help todetermine delivery plans to support the growth of sectors where Scotland enjoyscompetitive advantages within the global marketplace. These include: energy, financialservices, food & drink, life & chemical Sciences, ICT, tourism and textiles as well asother growth sectors in Scotland. With over 20 years’ economic developmentexperience, Linda has been part of the Scottish Enterprise team since 1991.

Visiting expert: EntrepreneurshipMark Hart is Deputy Director of the National Enterprise Research Centre andProfessor of Small Business and Entrepreneurship at Aston Business School. At theCentre he is responsible for the research theme focusing on 'BusinessDemographics'. At Aston University he is responsible for the Goldman Sachs 10,000Small Businesses programme in the Midlands. Over the last 35 years, Professor Harthas worked and published extensively in the areas of entrepreneurship, enterpriseand small business development and policy. He jointly manages the GlobalEntrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) project in the UK and advises a number of UKGovernment Departments and the devolved administrations on enterprise issues.

Visiting expert: UK productivityRafal Kierzenkowski is Senior Economist and Head of the Netherlands/UnitedKingdom desk in the Economics Department at the OECD (Organisation forCooperation and Economic Development) since 2013. His desk is in charge ofproducing OECD economic country surveys and macroeconomic projections. Hejoined the OECD in 2007 as an economist where he worked on the France/Polanddesk for three years before being promoted to Senior Economist in 2010. Prior tojoining the OECD he worked at the French central bank and was an associateprofessor at Montpellier University. His main fields of expertise are internationalmacro-economics and banking.

Technology as an economic driverGerry Kindlon is the President of the Londonderry Chamber of Commerce. He is theExecutive Director of Product Performance and Program Management for Seagate'sRecording Head Division. Gerry has worked with Seagate since 1993 having heldprevious positions with United Technologies, Analog Devices and Abbott Laboratories.Gerry has played a leading role in the 'Digital Derry' initiative and is now a boardmember of CultureTECH. He is also a member of Derry~Londonderry Strategy Boardand he is a Governor of Lumen Christi College.

Visiting expert: European regional policyBert Kuby is Head of Unit at the EU Committee of Regions, in charge of theSubsidiarity Monitoring Network, Europe 2020 Monitoring Platform and the platformon European Groupings for Territorial Cooperation. Bert oversees the monitoring (andresearch) of the role of local and regional authorities in the Europe 2020 strategy andthe contribution of the CoR to the mid-term review of the strategy from theperspective of regions. Bert has been in charge for 10 years at the EuropeanCommission for the negotiations on the Regional Policy chapter in accessionnegotiations. For six years, he has been providing policy advice, technical assistanceand training on regional policy and EU cohesion policy, including cross-border andinterregional cooperation.

Visiting expert: Eurozone/BrexitRoger Liddle is Chair of international thinktank and research institute Policy Network.He is a Labour party member of the House of Lords where he is a member of the EUSelect Committee and is also pro-chancellor of the University of Lancaster. From2009-2010, Roger chaired the government’s New Industry, New Jobs advisory panelin the Department of Business Innovation and Skills. He was for seven years from1997 special adviser on European affairs to the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair.From 2004-2007 he served in the European Commission, first in the Cabinet of theEU Trade Commissioner and then as economic adviser to the European CommissionPresident Jose Manuel Barroso. In 2013 he was elected as a member of CumbriaCounty Council.

Political panel discussionTrevor Lunn is an Alliance MLA for Lagan Valley and is his party’s spokesperson onEnterprise, Trade and Investment. He was elected as MLA for his constituency in 2007and re-elected in 2011. Trevor serves on both the Education Committee and theAssembly and Executive Review Committee. He was previously on the Agricultureand Rural Development Committee until 2014.

Political panel discussionPatsy McGlone is a SDLP MLA for Mid Ulster and Chair of the Enterprise, Trade andInvestment Committee. He has been an MLA for his constituency since 2003. Patsyis currently chair of the All-Party Working Group on Construction and is also the SDLPEconomy Spokesperson. He has served on a number of boards and public bodiesincluding Foras na Gaeilge, Northern Ireland Housing Executive and the NorthernIreland Housing Council. Patsy is also former chair of the Northern Ireland Assembly’sEnvironment Committee and previously held the position of Chairman of CookstownDistrict Council in 2002-2003 and 2005-2006.

Tourism as an economic driverJohn McGrillen took up the role of Chief Executive of Tourism NI in July 2015, havingpreviously been Director of Development at Belfast City Council where hisresponsibilities included urban development, tourism, economic and internationaldevelopment and the management of Belfast Waterfront and the Ulster Hall. Beforejoining Belfast City Council he was Chief Executive of Down District Council. Duringhis early career John worked for Shorts and the Industrial Development Board, beforebeing appointed Chief Executive of NI-CO.

Political panel discussionConor Murphy is a Sinn Féin MLA for Newry & Armagh and is currently Deputy Chairof the Assembly’s Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment. Previously Conorwas the Minister for Regional Development from 2007-2011 and was MP for Newry& Armagh from 2005-2015.

Local enterprise developmentKen Nelson is Chief Executive of LEDCOM, one of Northern Ireland’s longestestablished and most successful business enterprise centres. He has over 22 years’experience working as a business advisor, mentor and trainer with entrepreneursand start-up companies, small businesses and social enterprises. Ken was one ofthe founding directors of Enterprise Northern Ireland, the association of NorthernIreland’s enterprise sectors and was its Chairman from 2006 until 2011. In April2012 he was appointed to the board of Invest Northern Ireland.

The living wage and inequalityEoin Rooney is former Coordinator of NICVA’s Centre for Economic Empowerment(CEE). The CEE has published research reports on issues such as the quality ofeconomic data in Northern Ireland, the living wage, and fiscal devolution. Eoinpreviously worked on the Budget Analysis Project at Queen’s University, whichdeveloped a human-rights based approach to analysing public finances, and iscurrently completing his PhD on Local Economic Development.

Irish budget programmeRobert Watt is Secretary General of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform(DPER) in Dublin, a role he took up in 2011. DPER was established to reduce publicspending to more sustainable levels and reform and improve public services. Priorto taking up this role, Robert was Assistant Secretary in the Sectoral Policy Divisionin the Department of Finance. An economist by profession, he was formerly a Directorwith Indecon Economic Consultants.

conference speaker panel

Northern Ireland Economic Conference

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Entrance

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Exhibition information

• Exhibition area is main meeting placefor all delegates.

• All refreshment/networking breakswill be held in exhibition area

Exhibition opportunities available

Contact us directly on +44 (0)28 9261 9933 or email fiona.mcquade@agendani.com for details

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Exhibition spaceEach exhibition space will beprovided with:

• Table • Chair (if required)• Power socket

Sponsorship opportunities

There are still a small number of available sponsorshipopportunities at this year’s conference. Sponsorship of theannual Northern Ireland Economic Conference is anexcellent way for organisations to raise their profile with akey audience of economic decision-makers and seniorbusiness leaders. For further details or to discuss how yourorganisation can benefit from close association withNorthern Ireland’s premier economic analysis event,contact Sandra Bolan on +44 (0) 28 9261 9933.

conference opportunties

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Personal detailsName: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _Job title: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _Organisation: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _Address: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _________________________________ Postcode: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _Telephone: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _Fax: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _Email: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _Acknowledgement of registrationConfirmation of registration will be emailed to all delegates followingreceipt of registration details. If you have not received youracknowledgement within 48 hours of registering, please contactregistration@agendaNi.com to confirm your booking.

Cancellations / SubstitutionsFor those unable to attend, a substitute delegate may be sent at any timefor no additional charge. Alternatively a refund will be given forcancellations received in writing, by fax or letter, up to 14 days prior to theconference, less an administration charge of 25% plus VAT. Regrettably norefunds can be made after that date.

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Reserve _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ delegate places at the conference Conference delegate fee £255 + VAT @ 20% = £306 Fee includes documentation, lunch and other refreshments served during the

conference and is payable in advance. Fee does not include delegateaccommodation or travel.

Discounted rate for voluntary/community sectors Conference delegate fee £165 + VAT @ 20% = £198

Receive details of sponsorship opportunities at the conference Receive details of exhibition opportunities at the conference

I wish to

The Annual Northern Ireland Economic Conference is aimed at keydecision-makers and those across business and government/the publicsector with an interest in tackling the challenges to ensure NorthernIreland’s economy is fit for the future. It will also appeal to thoseinteracting with the public sector, both in policy advisory and servicedelivery or advocacy roles. Those interested in attending will include:

• Chief Executives / Directors / senior managers

• Finance directors / managers

• Central government / department officials

• Agencies, advisory bodies and NDPBs

• Frontline service delivery professionals

• Auditors / value-for-money specialists

• Local government officers and elected representatives

• Budget-holders

• Corporate planners

• Voluntary / community sector leaders / NGOs

• Services organisations – IT / telecoms

• Financial and legal advisors

Who should attend?

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Don’t miss Northern Ireland’s only annual one day economic conference! Benefits of attending include:

✓ Hear directly from key players in the Northern Ireland economy

✓ Unique economic forecast presented

✓ Expert visiting speakers

✓ Discuss key economic drivers: competitiveness, productivity, skills

✓ Consider the Northern Ireland economy in the national & European context

✓ Opportunity to ask questions from local politicians

✓ Not to be missed networking opportunity