Hillsborough Castle Hosts Business Innovators

Three top innovators from Northern Ireland and beyond have been lined for a major event at Hillsborough Castle today, for an event that is being attended by some of the management elite of the local business community.

The MBA Association of Ireland (MBAAI) Northern Chapter are gathering at the State Room in Hillsborough Castle today, Thursday, to hear from Titanic Quarter Chief Executive Mike Smith, Mash Direct Director Tracy Hamilton and Manchester-based Whitebox Digital, boss David Barker.

The trio will share their experiences and practical advice toward instilling a culture of innovation, imagination and excellence within the workplace.

The MBAAI Northern Chapter is the representative body for Masters in Business Administration (MBA) graduates living and working in Northern Ireland.

Gareth Quinn, Chair said: "Management systems primed to promote innovation, imagination and excellence lie at the heart of improved business performance and are key to reinvigorating Northern Ireland's economy.

"The three top-class speakers we're bringing together will explore how businesses can leverage innovation to conceive new products and services, create value and drive up capacity to exploit opportunities in today's challenging climate."

The MBAAI is described as an influential networking organisation, which aims to improve the practice of management through continuous learning through various mechanisms such as providing information services and advisory workshops for MBA graduates. The Hillsborough Castle lunch is among a series of events scheduled to take place over the coming months. Membership to the MBAAI is open to all MBA holders and costs £100 a year.

Tracy Hamilton of Mash Direct will talk about how getting the right systems and culture in place are vitally important to ensuring that a company can first identify, and then exploit opportunity.

David Barker will describe how he resigned from his corporate career in 2004 to assist people suffering poverty and long-term unemployment. He created Whitebox Digital which aims to modernise charities with next generation Cloud IT solutions.

Mike Smith will provide an overview of the regeneration of Titanic Quarter which is one of the largest urban development projects in Europe. He will also deal with the issues and opportunities faced by Titanic Quarter Ltd in the context of the current economic and financial conditions

Marie Walsh from Ansons, main sponsors for the event, said: "These speakers have excelled in the fields of social enterprise, economic development and agri-food. Drawing on expert knowledge from such diverse sectors ensures that this will be a valuable event for all attendees."

(BMcC/GK)