Francis Martin, Managing Partner BDO has been elected as the new President of the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce.

Outgoing president, Bro McFerran, passes on the chain of office to Francis Martin

Francis is the Chamber’s 166th President and is joined by Mark Nodder, CEO of Wrightbus as Chamber Vice-President. Former President and Managing Director of Allstate Bro McFerran and Chamber Chief Executive Ann McGregor were also in attendance.

Speaking following his election, Francis Martin said: “I am deeply honoured to be elected President of the Northern Ireland Chamber of Trade and Commerce. For over two hundred years now the Chamber has worked to ensure that businesses in the region reach their full potential. Throughout this period, enterprise and business, which are the engine of our economy, have faced significant challenges and on each occasion the Chamber, and the wider Northern Ireland economy, have risen to meet these challenges.

“The current economic challenges are unprecedented and have made life very difficult for a large number of Northern Ireland businesses. The financial crisis has also underlined larger structural problems in the Northern Ireland economy – our over-reliance on the public sector, below average productivity, gaps in training and skills and limited export activity all mean that our ability to compete internationally is reduced. I look forward to working with colleagues in the Chamber, business community as well as public representatives and policy makers to ensure our economy is fit for the challenges and demands of the 21st century, and I am confident we can meet those challenges.

“I would also like to thank outgoing President Bro McFerran who has made an outstanding contribution to the Chamber and to the business community during his tenure as President,” he added.

Outgoing President Bro McFerran said: “I would like to congratulate Francis on his election as President. It has been an honour to serve as President and Vice-President over the last number of years which have been some of the toughest in recent times for the economy. While there are difficulties for the business sector and the wider economy the strength and resilience of our entrepreneurial tradition is clear to see and I am confident we can weather the storm.”

In its 217th year, the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce is an independent not-for-profit organisation which represents over one thousand businesses in manufacturing, services, retail, distribution and the professions.

Speaking at the AGM, Chief Executive Ann McGregor said: “I would like to congratulate Francis Martin  and Mark Nodder on their elections and thank Bro McFerran for the work he has done, particularly over the last number of  years.  The Chamber of Commerce represents business in a wide range of sectors right across Northern Ireland. There are significant challenges facing the sector and we are in consultation with our members to publish new policy proposals to kickstart the economy in  the near future.

“Our new President and Vice-President bring a breadth of experience from accounting, business advisory and manufacturing sectors which will become a great asset to our organisation. I look forward to working closely with both,” she added.