KEEPING GROWING BUSINESSES
:: Jeremy Eakin, a non-executive director at Eakin Healthcare Group, is set to share the company’s incredible growth story with members of NI Chamber at a ‘Grow with Danske Bank’ event on Wednesday December 6.
Headquartered in Comber with sites and subsidiaries in the UK, Netherlands, France and Japan, the medical device manufacturer, which was founded by Jeremy’s father, now exports to more than 50 countries. Jeremy will share the Eakin expansion story so far, discussing its growth trajectory and tactics and outlining how it has recently transitioned to a family-owned but not family-run status.
He will be joined at the event in Waterman House by the group’s chief people officer Gillian McAuley, an HR expert with more than 35 years of experience in legal and professional practice. She will focus on the central role of nurturing and developing people in business growth strategies, discussing the practical implications of growing headcounts and preparing teams for growth aspirations.
‘Grow with Danske Bank’ is delivered as part of NI Chamber’s Learn Grow Excel programme, which is supported by its SME partner, Power NI.
BIG MARKET
:: Young Enterprise NI's annual Big Market, a showcase of the entrepreneurial talents of young people from school across Northern Ireland, takes place on Wednesday December 6 (10am-1pm) at St George’s Market in Belfast.
It is a unique opportunity for young entrepreneurs to gain valuable experience in selling their products and services to the public.
More than 80 market stalls will be hosted by students taking part in the Young Enterprise Company Programme, who will have the opportunity to interact with customers, receive feedback, and test their business ideas.
“The Big Market gives young entrepreneurs the experience of selling to the public as opposed to in their school. It pushes them outside of their comfort zones and gives them a place to thrive,” said Carol Fitzsimons, chief executive of Young Enterprise NI.
“The students become work ready through the skills and experiences they gain throughout the programme!”
The Young Enterprise Company Programme is a year-long programme that gives young people the experience of starting and running their own real businesses. Students learn all aspects of business, from developing a business plan to marketing and sales.
WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
:: The Institute of Directors in Northern Ireland has joined forces once again with law firm Herbert Smith Freehills in Belfast to launch the 2024 Women’s Leadership Conference.
Returning to Belfast’s Crowne Plaza Hotel on Friday March 8, the conference is expected to be another sell-out event, attracting over 500 delegates and participants.
The theme for the 2024 event is from former COO of Meta, Sheryl Sanberg: “In the future, there will be no female leaders, there will just be leaders” and attendees will be asked to consider how they can commit to this aim within their own businesses and organisations.
Headlining the 2024 conference will be journalist and campaigner, Mariella Frostrup. Known for her appearances on Panorama, hosting Open Book on BBC Radio 4 and her role as The Observer newspaper’s resident Agony Aunt, in recent years Mariella has become increasingly involved in advocacy work, campaigning for equal rights and women’s causes in particular.
She is a gender ambassador for Save the Children, a founder trustee of The Great Initiative, a gender equality charity, and a long-term supporter of Comic Relief.
She will discuss her best-selling book ‘Cracking the Menopause’, which Mariella co-authored with writer Alice Smellie, and talk about the work she has done to encourage more women to come forward and seek out the support they need to navigate this phase of their life.
Joining Mariella on the line-up will be acclaimed chef and former Great British Menu contest Danni Barry. Now executive head chef at Ballynahinch Castle in County Galway, she is only the second ever Irish woman to hold a Michelin star and was named Irish Chef of the Year in 2016
Also returning in 2024 will be the 8th ‘Pitch Perfect’ competition where female-led startups take to the stage for a live pitching competition with audience members voting on who should take home the £4,000 prize.
