Chamber elects new President

Singularity founder and chief executive leads Chamber forward

Padraig Canavan, the founder and chief executive of Derry-based international business Singularity, has been elected the new President of Londonderry Chamber of Commerce.

As the driving force behind Singularity, Padraig has shown that it is possible to establish and operate a major international company from Derry. Singularity has operations in London, New York, Singapore, Hyderabad and Belfast, but its headquarters remain in Derry. The company was established in 1994 and is a world leader in business process management software - which enables organisations to achieve major improvements in their operating efficiency. Under Padraig's leadership, Singularity has an annualised average growth rate of 30% and now employs 250 people worldwide, including 80 in Derry-Londonderry - making it one of the city's larger employers.

As well as leading one of the world's leading IT software providers, Padraig is strongly committed to making Derry-Londonderry a better place from which to do business, through which there are higher levels of employment and greater wealth for the benefit of the whole population. Accordingly, he is also the chair of the University for Derry group, which is calling for the substantial expansion of the Magee campus in Derry. He has been vice-president of the Londonderry Chamber of Commerce for two years, during the period in which Jim Sammon has been President.

Retiring President Jim Sammon said: "The Londonderry Chamber of Commerce is very fortunate to have a new President of the calibre of Padraig Canavan. He heads a major international business, which is headquartered in Derry. When politicians and civil servants listen to Padraig, they know he has expertise and knowledge that must be listened to. That is a real strength that all of business in the North West can benefit from. Padraig has shown inspirational leadership of the University for Derry group and in just two years has made the group and the cause of Magee expansion a force that has to be reckoned with. I am excited by the skills and experience that Padraig brings to the role of President."

Padraig Canavan said: "I have an agenda that I bring to the role of President and which is shared by the whole Chamber. A strong Chamber of Commerce is key to supporting a strong local economy. Sadly, at present, our local economy is not strong - but our Chamber is. We can help rebuild the local economy by supporting businesses to grow and to assist them in their trading activities. Our number one priority is, and will remain, member services - helping member firms with networking, advising them of business opportunities and supporting them in raising their entrepreneurial and trading skills.

"My other priorities are equally obvious. Derry-Londonderry needs a substantially expanded university presence in order to strengthen and broaden the skill base, help local employers to recruit the skills we need, to attract inward investment and to benefit from the spending of students and staff. The Chamber supports this objective and wants to work closely with U4D and the University of Ulster to make it happen.
"The City of Culture is now less than two years away. Businesses in the North West have a unique opportunity and not just those in the hospitality sector. The Chamber will play an active role in helping the City of Culture to be a great year and support businesses to prepare for it. And the other Chamber priority going forward remains turning our city into ‘Digital Derry'. The opportunities for creative businesses that harness ideas with the latest technologies are exciting and substantial. The Chamber will be in the forefront of making it happen."

About Londonderry Chamber of Commerce:
Londonderry Chamber of Commerce was formed in 1885 and has over 400 members. It is the largest and most authoritative business voice in the city and region. Sinead McLaughlin, Londonderry Chamber of Commerce chief executive, can be contacted on 028 71 262379 or 07725946225 to arrange interviews with Padraig Canavan.

About Singularity:

Singularity increases the performance and agility of business processes by rapid implementation of its industry-leading Business Process Management (BPM) products. As the leading Business Process Agility specialist it serves clients in over 30 countries from offices in Derry, Belfast, London, New York, Singapore and India. For further press information about Singularity, contact Dermot McCauley at Singularity: dermot.mccauley@singularitylive.com, or telephone: 028 71 267767 ; or visit www.singularity.co.uk.