FSB appoints dynamic new chair to NI Board

The Federation of Small Businesses has moved to appoint one of Northern Ireland’s most experienced and successful small business owners to the crucial role of chair of its FSB NI Policy Board.

The appointment was made by FSB’s UK chair of policy and advocacy, Tina McKenzie, who had previously held the Northern Ireland role for four years before being elected to the organisation’s top UK policy role where she leads on engagement with government in Westminster as well as on the international stage.

The move sees FSB member, Alan Lowry, CEO of Environmental Street Furniture, appointed to lead the organisation’s policy development and advocacy in Northern Ireland.

Mr Lowry brings a wealth of relevant experience to the role and an ability to understand the key issues on which FSB members want the organisation to engage.

FSB’s UK Chair of Policy and Advocacy, Tina McKenzie, said: “Alan served on the FSB NI Policy Board during my tenure as its chair and was a strong contributor to FSB’s policy development.

“His experience extends from starting a business, to becoming an employer, to taking on an apprentice, to acquiring other businesses, to exporting to over 25 countries and winning the Queen’s Award for Export, as well as many other awards.

“All of this experience supported his suitability for the role but, beyond that, his understanding of effective political engagement and how to raise issues in a way that gets results, is what makes him an excellent representative for the wider FSB membership in Northern Ireland.”

Tina McKenzie continued: “FSB in Northern Ireland has grown enormously in stature over the past few years.

“I am delighted to appoint Alan to this role of chair and not only wish him all success in it, but also look forward to working closely with him on many UK-wide initiatives as we navigate our way through all of the challenges facing our members in one of the most difficult economic climates for decades. His experience, energy and commitment to FSB will be invaluable.”

Mr Lowry said: “I’m delighted to have been asked to take this role at such a pivotal time for Northern Ireland. “Businesses are under immense pressure at the moment, as are households and other areas of society, so it is vital that we all play our part in bringing forward constructive and realistic proposals to move us forward.

“We have a new incoming government at Westminster, but none here at Stormont. Clearly, a satisfactory resolution to the challenges arising from the operation of the Northern Ireland Protocol is central to unlocking other political progress, so I look forward to ensuring that the voice of small businesses is a powerful one in the conversations that are needed.

“Over the past number of years, FSB has fully justified its position as the largest business organisation in Northern Ireland and shouldered the responsibility that comes with such scale.

“It has built an outstanding reputation as an informed, balanced contributor, seeking to influence policy for the benefit of Northern Ireland’s smaller businesses who, between them, employ around 60% of all workers. “

Mr Lowry added: “I want to build on this foundation as we see the policy environment evolve, post-Brexit, and help to grow our economy here.”