Dr Conor Patterson Returns as Newry Chamber President After 14 Years

Dr Conor Patterson has been elected as the new President of Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade, taking over from outgoing President Edwina Flynn at their Annual General Meeting on Thursday 27 November at Enterprise House, Newry. Dr Patterson becomes only the third person in the Chamber's 205 year history to serve more than one term as President.

Patterson, who is the Chief Executive of Newry and Mourne Co-operative & Enterprise Agency, previously served as President from 2009 to 2011. He has been actively involved in the economic regeneration of Newry and Mourne and the Northern Ireland/Republic of Ireland East Border Region since the mid-1990s. In returning to lead the organisation, which represents over 325 businesses and organisations from right across the Greater Newry Area, he follows in the footsteps of William V. Hogg and Eddie Mackle as the only presidents to serve multiple terms.

The AGM also saw changes to the Chamber's leadership structure after amendments to the Articles of Association were unanimously passed. Gary Digney, Restructuring & Recovery Partner at AAB Group, will remain in post as Vice President, whilst Tracy Rice, Head of Business Engagement at Southern Regional College, was elected as a second Vice President.

Mairead McParland, Director at the Canal Court Hotel & Spa, was elected as the new Treasurer, replacing outgoing Treasurer Kieran Grant, Finance Director at Warrenpoint Harbour Authority. McParland joins a number of new faces on the Chamber Board of Directors including David Holmes, CEO of Warrenpoint Port, Liam Devine, CEO of Clanrye Group, Elizabeth O'Connor, Director of People & Governance at MJM Marine and Gary Rocks, Senior Solicitor at Patterson & Rocks Solicitors.

The new board members replace outgoing directors Julie Gibbons, Emma Mullen, Kieran Grant, Cathal Austin and Jerome Mullen, who was appointed as an Honorary Board Member following his 37-year involvement with the Chamber.

In addition to the new board appointments, Caroline Willis, Finance Director at Shelbourne Motors, Ronan Callan, Director of Operations at The Exact Group, Rachel Mearns, Managing Director at Concept Occupational Health and Przemek Parulski, Co-Founder of DxF Engineering, will all join the Chamber Council. The Council consists of 23 local business representatives which feeds into the Chamber Board of Directors.

In his acceptance speech, Dr Patterson said: "I feel extremely honoured to be appointed as President of Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade, for the second time. It is a real privilege to be asked to lead, this historic Chamber, one of Ireland's oldest and most respected Chambers, representing business in the Greater Newry Area since 1820."

He paid tribute to outgoing President Edwina Flynn, whose remarkable two year term has come to an end. Dr Patterson said: "I would like to thank outgoing President, Edwina Flynn for her deep commitment, positive energy and phenomenal leadership over the last two years and her ability to meet all challenges head on with her trademark positive outlook. She worked day in and day out to ensure that our region had a seat at the decision-making table at a local, regional and national level and that the Chamber was a real catalyst for change, a promoter of progress with a positive vision for Newry."

Looking ahead to his presidency, Dr Patterson acknowledged the challenges facing businesses but struck an optimistic tone. He said: "I am looking forward to working with our CEO, Michael Savage and the impressive Chamber team. There are undoubtedly challenging times ahead as we face into an uncertain new year. However, I'm optimistic. The Chamber has never been in a stronger position with an active and engaged membership of 325 businesses. During my presidency, I promise to do my best to represent and support our members and the other key stakeholders in Newry with whom it is essential that we work collaboratively."