Over 100 Chartered Accountants and their guests will fly to Copenhagen this week for their annual conference.
The “New Horizons” Conference in Copenhagen, organised by Chartered Accountants Ulster Society and supported by Northern Bank will take place from April 29th to May 2nd and feature business speakers from both Northern Ireland and Denmark.
A central theme of the Conference will be the importance of securing export opportunities as part of building economic recovery in Northern Ireland. The conference will examine the existing business links between Denmark and Northern Ireland and will explore how the Accountancy profession can support local businesses in accessing increased trade opportunities on mainland Europe and particularly in Scandinavia.
Key presentations during the four day Conference include those from Robert Watson OBE, Chief Executive of Hilton Food Group and Alastair Hall of Belfast Architects Hackett Hall McKnight. Both Hilton Food Group and Hackett Hall McKnight already enjoy significant trading links with Denmark and the presentations will outline their experiences and prospects in Copenhagen.
Other presenters during the Conference include Lars Christensen, Chief Analyst and Head of Emerging Markets with Danske Bank, who in 2006 predicted the Icelandic financial and economic collapse; and Jeremy Fitch, Managing Director of Clients Group and Business International with Invest Northern Ireland who will outline the steps which the agency is taking to help local businesses in building export capability.
Richard Gardiner, Chairman of Chartered Accountants Ulster Society, said: “This year’s Ulster Society Conference acknowledges Copenhagen’s position as a major business and economic centre in the Scandinavian-Baltic region. Northern Ireland already enjoys significant trading links with Denmark and as our economy moves towards recovery, it is important that the local business sector is aware of the opportunities for growth from overseas.
“Companies with access to export markets have generally weathered the recent economic challenges more successfully and we need to work together to equip more of our local businesses to access global markets. These are truly days for our local businesses to set their sights on ‘New Horizons’.
“The Conference also affords Ulster Society members the chance to meet in one of northern Europe’s most beautiful and friendly cities and we gratefully acknowledge the continued support of Northern Bank in making this Copenhagen Conference possible.”
Niall Harkin, Senior Corporate Banking Manager, Northern Bank said: “Northern Bank has supported the Chartered Accountants Ulster Society annual conference since 2001 and this will be the eighth Conference of our partnership. We’re delighted to be able to offer our support as it’s an opportunity to recognise the contribution that the accountancy industry can make towards improving the business environment. It has been a highly successful venture over the years and we look forward to another thought-provoking conference in Copenhagen.”
Pictured before setting off to Copenhagen are (from left) Richard Gardiner, Chairman, Chartered Accountants Ulster Society; and Niall Harkin, Conference Convenor and Senior Corporate Banking Manager with sponsor Northern Bank.