‘Our mission is to be an innovative business organisation; one which just happens to be for women’
One business organisation in Northern Ireland that is evolving at an impressive pace is Women in Business NI. The organisation caters to modern fearless females in Business today. JCDecaux proudly supported this professional, innovative and rapidly developing business organisation at their Awards on November 17th 2011. JCDecaux sponsored the award for Best Marketing/Communications category at their annual Awards won by Tracy Hamilton, director of Mash Direct ltd.
Tracy Hamilton, Director, Mash Direct Ltd and Joanne Grant, Managing Director, JCDecaux Ireland
Women in Business NI Chief Executive, Roseann Kelly, has ambitions to lead the organisation to even more exciting new heights in the future. Roseann became involved with the organisation since its inception in 2002. It wasn’t long before Roseann became a member of the board, and was placed at the coalface of the decision making in the organisation.
Roseann’s diverse career path as a history graduate, turned marketer then consultant ensured that members of Women in Business NI appointed her to the role of full time CEO in 2008. Since then, the success and fast-growing membership has allowed for full time employment of three other staff members at WIB’s offices in Belfast’s Weaver’s Court Office Park.
Women in Business NI have now started working with its first corporate partner, Deloitte and set out its strategy for future growth and innovation in business.
With a strong membership of over 560 women in Northern Ireland, it runs between 35 and 40 events per year, attracting up to 1,500 women. One of its many successful programmes called the Women into Business initiative is aimed at encouraging more female entrepreneurs to start new businesses and has a high success rate. Also available to members are the popular Business Networking Lunches, Masterclass sessions and speed mentoring. Working the same concepts as speed networking, speed mentoring links female entrepreneurs with experienced mentors.
Roseann Kelly is a firm believer that business organisations work together for the common good. It fosters links with the Institute of Directors NI, NI Chamber of Commerce & industry and Network Ireland. The recent integration of EWN (Newry’s Women’s Network) has allowed for a broader reach of the organisation to greater Ulster.
Deloitte were the main sponsor of this year’s Women in Business Awards with 11 different categories, such as Outstanding Management/leadership to Young Business Woman of the Year and from Best exporter to an Innovation/ Entrepreneurship Award. JCDecaux would like to congratulate all of the Women in Business NI award winners.
For more information visit the WIB multifunctional website www.womeninbusinessni.com
(Adapted from BusinessEye, November 30, 2011)