The President of Londonderry Chamber of Commerce says that having a local Minister for Policing and Justice "could create a deeper acceptance that laws to protect people are our laws - they are not imposed from afar.  That has the potential to create a new attitude and culture towards crime," said Mr Jim Sammon, who was speaking on the occasion of the Chamber's first visit today from PSNI Chief Constable Matt Baggott.  

"We encourage the political parties to seize the opportunity now to build a world class Policing and Justice Ministry.  Policing and Justice are integral to creating a healthy social and economic environment. Our local economy needs business and healthy businesses depend on healthy communities," he added.  .

Mr Sammon told the Chief Constable that the Chamber "supports you and your officers in delivering good and effective policing.  The PSNI has made radical changes.  We know that the service will continue to evolve and improve. "

Chief Constable Matt Baggott, visiting the City at the invitation of the Londonderry Chamber of Commerce addressed an audience of over 100 key business leaders and said, "the current financial situation is one that affects us all, be it in the private or public sector.   However, the challenges faced by the Police Service of Northern Ireland provide us with an opportunity to re-prioritise what we are aiming to achieve as a service, with a focus upon what matters to local communities, issues of serious harm and a relentless pursuit of value for money in everything we do.  This will, of course, involve building upon the legacy of Patten, but preparing for a future in a devolved environment." 

He continued, "I believe the devolution of policing and justice is a key development as we strive to deliver a personal, professional and protective policing service to the people of Northern Ireland.  This agreement will provide us with the increased financial assistance required to plan for the future and will better enable us to move forward  with certainty as an organisation."

The sponsors of the business lunch were Grafton ESP, the HR specialist division of the Grafton Employment Group.  They said they were "delighted to be involved as a partner with the PSNI and the Londonderry Chamber of Commerce at this prestigious event during what is a ground breaking moment in Northern Ireland politics".

Speaking after the event, the Chamber President said the lunch "had a distinctly business and private sector focus and it was clear that guests appreciated the honest and transparent insight into the business of policing."

The Chamber Board and Members raised questions regarding a number of issues pertaining to tourism.  Mary Blake, the Tourism Officer in DCC, has furnished the Board with a written report answering all the questions raised please see link below.

Tourism Strategy

The Londonderry Chamber of Commerce have regretfully informed their members and stakeholders that after 13 years with the organisation, CEO Janice Tracey is to step down.  President Jim Sammon in a statement to the press said, "We are very sorry to have received Janice's resignation.

Janice has been with the Chamber almost 13 years and has been a key driver in the success of the Londonderry Chamber of Commerce. Our Chamber is respected far and wide for best practice and this is due in no small measure to the talent and application of Janice Tracey.

During her time as CEO, Janice has been the 'Voice of Business' in the North West representing the interests of the City Region with Government Departments and global businesses at home and abroad. She led the organisation through a remarkable period of growth and together with her team she has enhanced the quality and range of services available to Members. Janice was awarded the OBE, in the New Years Honours list 2007 for services to the Economy and Education. 

We will miss Janice and wish her every success in the future"

Derry Can deliver World Class Solutions ......

Mr Jim Sammon, President of the Londonderry Chamber, warmly welcomes the announcement of 85 additional Jobs in Seagate's Springtown Plant.

"We are particularly pleased that this £60M investment is part of Springtown's plan to develop research and technology within the city.  Seagate has demonstrated time and time again their commitment to this region, to not only the economy but to their valued employees. Seagate have always been innovative and they are to the forefront of driving technological & digital solutions for their global business.  This Chamber champions their investment and looks forward to contributing to the development of further research & development posts within the Digital Sector.  There is no reason that Derry can not be a recognised centre of Digital Excellence in Ireland, when global companies such as Seagate have demonstrated their belief in this regions ability to deliver world class solutions."

Speaking at the launch of the construction phase of the new Peace Bridge in Derry, Janice Tracey says that the bridge is the sign that the tide has turned.

"Together with the ongoing work that will transform our public space in the Guildhall Square and surrounding area, our members are looking forward to operating in an environment that is more fit for purpose than they have been used to."

"For our members this will be seen as the first physical manifestation of the regeneration of our city that we have talked about for far too long. The actual construction process will give hope to a business community that has faced a very challenging 18 months and have had just this week learnt of more job losses at Artnz Belting and Raytheon."read more >

At a meeting in the City today, Chamber CEO Janice Tracey assured Minister Reg Empey that there was a wide body of local support for the key aspects of the U4D campaign to have an enhanced University presence in the city. She said that this could best be achieved by building on the excellence and expertise that currently exists in Magee Campus but that significant expansion was necessary.

Speaking earlier to the BBC, Ms Tracey pointed out that such expansion would act as a necessary driver for the economic regeneration of the city and stressed that expansion of HE provision at the University of Ulster in Derry would ensure that Derry and the NW play an active role in the economy of Northern Ireland. A strong Northern Ireland needs a strong NW.

A delegation from The North West Chamber of Commerce Initiative met with the Regional Development Minister, Mr Conor Murphy, to receive his Departmental up date on the progress of a number of major infrastructural issues currently in progress throughout the Region.  Representatives from Derry, Letterkenny, Omagh and Strabane were heartened to hear an upbeat Minister assuring us that the NW Region was high on his agenda. 

Ian Crowe, told the Minister "the NW business leaders want to contribute fully to the economic development of Northern Ireland in every way that they can.  The people of the region are innovative, creative and entrepreneurial, however the connectivity to the region is still exceptionally poor and until the completion on both the A6 and A5 road schemes the NW has the added peripheral hurdle when trying to attract Foreign Direct Investment."read more >

We had our last networking event of the year this morning and it was a fabulous event. We had input from 2 very different speakers, John Rice from JamMedia and Siobhan McAleer from The Mortgage Shop. The speakers role was to stimulate conversation and ideas and faciliatate networking and they did all that and more.

Siobhan's input showed us very clearly how a vulnerability can be a strength if matched with steely determination. She stressed the importance of our Business Allies when times are tough and urged us to break long term relationships with extreme caution. When talking about leadership she said that it is incumbant on all leaders to paint a picture where the sun will shine again, to have our feet firmly on the ground but look up, up, up.

John Rice gave us all a good laugh by playing some of his award winning and contract bearing video and cartoon clips. He talked about his early beginnings and tracks his success right back to getting very bad leaving cert results. How often have we heard the story of successful businesses starting from positions of adversity?read more >

Chamber President Jim Sammon has welcomed the announcement of the major expansion of Foyleside. "Foyleside is a real jewel in our crown and a very important element of our retail offering. To have such a gem in the heart of our city centre has been a real asset and I know has boosted trade for the surrounding shops and not just those in the centre. This investment will reinforce the city centre offering and underpin the competitiveness and attractiveness of Derry at the heart of a successful region. Such significant expansion plans at a time when we have seen little development will bring a real boost to the construction industry and provide much needed jobs in a wide range of sectors."

Jim also commented on the added value that such a significant building project could provide. "Such an extensive project, with a price tag of £100 million, has the potential to make a real difference, both in developing a design package that enhances our environment and also in the provision of training opportunities for our local labour force through targeted apprenticeship schemes. Together with the new iconic peace bridge, this construction project could really transform our waterfront"

Ends for further information please contact Helena Kearney on 028 71 262379

The US Economic Envoy Declan Kelly was on a whirlwind visit to the NW and found time to meet with members of Derry's Chamber of Commerce. 

Jim Sammon, Chamber President said, "Given that the entire focus for the new envoy is the economy, it is fitting that Mr Kelly meets as many business leaders as possible.  Given Derry's long association and close links with a number of key US cities, we will be keen to discuss our plans for the city and to make sure when he is shining a light on Northern Ireland's assets, that this city and region is in the spotlight."
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Chamber member, Trish Hegarty, received a special award in Dublin at the weekend in recognition of her role as first woman president of the Union of Students in Ireland in 1986. Trish, who is director of Inis Communications PR and Media Consultancy, said she was honoured to meet President Mary McAleese at the 50^th Anniversary of USI event and that she was delighted to receive the award.

"It was a fantastic evening and it was great to see so many old faces from my years in USI."  Former USI officers who also attended include RTE's Joe Duffy and Labour Party leader Eamon Gilmore.
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President Mary McAleese is to make a special award to Chamber member Trish Hegarty, of Inis Communications, at a special event in Dublin tomorrow evening, to mark the 50th Anniversary of the founding of the Union of Students of Ireland (USI). Trish was the first woman to become President of USI in 1988.

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People and Place are what really matter most and what puts Derry at the top of the Christmas list.

Derry is the principal retail centre in the North West of Ireland and the retail capacity of the city has been boosted in recent years by the doubling of retail floor space. Locally based independent retailers, accounting for some 68% of the retailing sector, significantly complement an expanding range of both UK and Irish major high-street stores. To complement the retail experience, Derry's service industries also offer an added value s a hotbed of creative activity. The city hosts numerous theatres, museums and galleries offering the shopper a choice of creative and artistic activities.
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John Spangler received a top accolade from the Chamber of Commerce CEO Janice Tracey at their 52nd Annual Dinner.  Named as the Chamber’s Person of the Year, John received a standing ovation when accepting his award.

The Dinner was attended by almost 300 Chamber Members and Guests.  Guests included Ministers from North and South, Senior Government Officials, MPs, MLA’s, and all the local stakeholders.

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Youth and Education are the two main themes of the Chamber’s 52nd Annual Dinner.  The key event in the business calendar for the North West, the Chamber Dinner is renowned for its high level guests, challenging speeches and all round good night’s entertainment.  

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Member comments on Jenni Timony, speaker at the Chamber of Commerce's first Motivational Business Lunch Series held last week. This Series, in partnership with Derry City Council, aims to provide support to our business community in these challenging times.

The Motivational Business Lunch Series is organized by Chamber of Commerce and aims to create an environment where speakers will share their own experiences in a realistic and honest address. These events will also provide a network for our members and non-members with likeminded people.

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Inspiring and motivating were the comments from Chamber of Commerce members at the first of their Business Lunch Series held on last Thursday at The Waterfoot.read more >

The Chamber of Commerce Team finished the Tesco's Half Marthon on Saturday, September 12 and raised in excess of £800 for The Foyle Hospice.read more >

"It is Council's job to lead in marketing the city and region to Foreign Direct Investment, and this seminar is a good early step", said Chamber Vice President Padraig Canavan, following a seminar with telecoms giants Hibernia Atlantic.
Padriag promised that Chamber will assist Council in this critical job of work but that as the local authority they have the right kind of mandate to lead.read more >