IRISH News columnist Tom Kelly is to chair a campaign group aimed at keeping Northern Ireland in the European Union.
An advisory board has been formed for the 'NI Stronger In Europe' campaign, which is fighting for the UK to remain a member of the EU.
The 19-strong board is cross-sectoral and cross-community and involves a broad spectrum of individuals from the business, agriculture and other sectors.
Among the members of the group are former health minister Michael McGimpsey, Glyn Roberts of the NI Independent Retail Trade Association and Sinéad McLaughlin, chief executive of Derry Chamber of Commerce.
The group is affiliated to Britain Stronger In Europe, whose chairman Sir Stuart Rose said: "It is fantastic to see so many talented and committed people, from all walks of life, uniting to say that Northern Ireland and the whole of the UK are stronger, safer and better off as part of the EU.
"I look forward to working with them, and with our teams in every nation and region of the UK, to win the argument in our local communities."
Mr Kelly, a well-known businessman and PR executive and former member of the Policing Board, has been appointed chairman of the board.
"I am passionate in my belief that the future of everyone in Northern Ireland will be better off by the UK remaining in the EU," he said.
"Over the next few months we will campaign vigorously to take the positive arguments about the benefits of EU membership to the streets of Northern Ireland.
"I would like to thank all of my fellow board members who have volunteered their time and expertise for coming together to lead this referendum campaign which is likely to be the most important decision ever faced by the people of Northern Ireland.
"I am firmly convinced that we all stand to win when in."
Meanwhile, Labour MPs Alan Johnson and Vernon Coaker visited Belfast yesterday to make their case for the UK to stay in the EU.
The two politicians were at an international packaging business in west Belfast where they called for support for the pro-EU campaign.
Mr Johnson, chair of Labour In for Britain group, and Mr Coaker, shadow secretary of state for Northern Ireland, said the north is "stronger, safer and better off as part of the European Union".
During their tour the politicians met with entrepreneur Terry Cross, the founder and chairman of Delta Print and Packaging, who has thrown his weight behind the pro-EU campaign in the run-up to the European referendum.
