THE CHAIRMAN
The Chairman What hasn’t happened this month? With all the nonsense around Brexit, Titanic Belfast and other venues were a much-needed distraction from the politics
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here’s nothing quite like Hospitality Ulster’s Top 100 to get the month started with a bang. A loud one.
It was a return to Titanic Belfast for the soldout showcase of the top pubs, restaurants and hotels that Northern Ireland has to offer. It’s far from the Chairman’s first time at this annual bash. Without looking at the till receipts, I’d imagine a fair chunk of cash was dropped at the bar. Hosted by the team, including Colin Neill, Joel Neill, Charlotte Fogarty and chairman Mark Stewart, it drew in some famous faces, as usual. And in a change to his usual tux and holding court at many a function, business editor Gary McDonald swapped his dictaphone and tie-clip for his pipes – entertaining the crowd with the McDonald Memorial Pipe Band. Irish rugby legend Brian O’Driscoll was joined by broadcaster Adrian Logan on stage to talk about his career and many successes on the pitch. Also turning out in style were Tori Shaw, Alison Campbell, Martin Breen and Jenevieve Devenny, while Karina Rocha and Anna Crawford of Howard Street were there to pick up their award, along with Bob McManus of the Sunflower Bar.
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And it was Press Eye’s own snappers Kelvin Boyes and Darren Kidd making sure the entire night was captured in full.
Turning to a bit of cinematic culture, Lee Cronin unveiled his new Irish horror film Hole in the Ground, at the Queen’s Film Theatre. It’s a little bit of The Omen, The Shining, and The Babadook in terms of chill and feel – definitely worth a visit to the cinema.
Over to something a bit more serious – but still nestled in the bow of Titanic Belfast – it was the turn of the Chartered Accountants Ulster Society, for its annual dinner. And chairman Niall Harkin reiterated the general business sentiment around both the Brexit debate, and our more than two years without an Assembly. “The biggest concerns which our members have are around customs administration, customs duties and supply chain distribution. I believe that those concerns should not be ignored,” he told those gathered. “Brexit was, and is, too big an issue not to have strong input from a local, devolved government. It is now over two years since we had a functioning Executive and Assembly. “As it stands today Northern Ireland has no Programme for Government, we have no plan for Brexit and we have no shared vision for Northern Ireland. Every day of delay is a further step backwards.” Those turning out for the event included Barry Smyth of sponsor the MCS Group, Zara Duffy, head of Chartered Accountants Northern Ireland, guest speaker Dr Janet Gray MBE and Rory Clarke of Danske Bank. And Kelvin Boyes was there once again. I swear, I see him more often than my own mother.
Elsewhere, Ten Square officially unveiled its new Doffer bar – which is located beside the city centre spot. Those turning out included the Sunday Life’s Geoff Frazer and Ulster Business editor John Mulgrew – although our paths never crossed. Strange, that. It’s like Batman and Bruce Wayne, or Clark Kent and Superman. Kelvin was there, too.
The Chairman and early starts. It’s always a difficult relationship, but it does one good to occasionally rise and get the day well underway while most others are still in their scratchers. Better Belfast, organised by Justin Rush of Abacus Group, brings together business leaders, stakeholders and media to discuss a range of topics and issues. On this occasion, Allstate NI’s new headquarters beside Lanyon Place train station played host. There were a few familiar faces, including Allstate’s Chris Henry, Fergal McFerran from Stonewall and Emma Hunt of Mills Selig. Speaking on this occasion, it was the turn of Christina Bates, chief financial officer at Allstate NI. She was also joined by Belfast City Council’s director of economic development, John Greer, Michelle Baird and Jessica Hutton of the Ulster Orchestra, and Disability Action’s Anne Reid. ■