CBI appoints new Northern Ireland Vice Chair
Former PwC trainee Adrian Doran has led an accomplished career since leaving the Big Four firm to join the banking sector. As of next January, he will be installed as the Chair of CBI Northern Ireland, having served as Vice Chair for the duration of 2019.
The CBI speaks on behalf of 190,000 businesses of all sizes and sectors. Together they employ nearly 7 million people, about one-third of the private sector-employed workforce. With 13 offices around the UK, the organisation’s members face an uncertain 2019, with Britain’s businesses braced for the lingering prospect of a No Deal Brexit.
As the Northern Irish wing looks to prepare for life beyond the EU, the CBI in the region will be undergoing a transition of its own, with the news that incumbent Chair Trevor Lockhart will step down from his role at the beginning of 2020. He will be replaced by Adrian Doran, who will serve as Vice Chair until then, as he learns the ins and outs of the role, before stepping into the position of Chair in January next year.
Doran is widely recognised as one of the most highly respected bankers in Northern Ireland, but initially trained as an accountant with Big Four firm PwC. After he left the firm, he spent four years with the Bank of Ireland, before arriving at Barclays’ Corporate Banking business to lead the wing from October 2000. Since then Barclays has become a major player in the local market, having led some of the largest financing transactions for many of Northern Ireland’s top companies. Doran has been a member of the CBI Council in Northern Ireland for 5 years and has chaired the CBI’s Infrastructure Forum since 2016; he is also a member of Senate of Queen’s University Belfast.
Commenting on his arrival with the CBI, Doran said, “I’m honoured to be appointed to this prestigious role, particularly at the current challenging time for business in Northern Ireland. The CBI plays a critical role representing businesses of all shapes and sizes right across Northern Ireland. As a region dominated by thriving SMEs, now more than ever, it will be important for our many smaller and medium sized businesses to have their needs represented at the highest level of policy and decision making. I hope I can continue the great work being done by Trevor and Angela.”
Angela McGowan, CBI Northern Ireland Director added, “I’m thrilled that Adrian is joining the CBI’s Northern Ireland team. At what is a pivotal time for firms who are looking for political stability and certainty, Adrian’s vast experience across Northern Ireland’s corporate sector will help the CBI represent the voice of businesses to policymakers. I look forward to working closely with Adrian to deliver the CBI’s core policy objectives in areas such as education and skills, trade, taxation, infrastructure, innovation and energy.”
