Women In Business Group Celebrate 21 Years Milestone

The Women in Business Group (WiB) have just celebrated their 21st anniversary. This influential group started back in 2002 with 40 members, but they have grown considerably since then, with over 470 Northern Ireland business leaders, members and supporters at their annual chair’s lunch at the Titanic in Belfast.

Creating A Prosperous And Inclusive Economy For All

The aim of the WiB Group is to create a prosperous and inclusive economy that everyone will be able to participate in and will help to drive economic growth in Northern Ireland. They help through networking, accreditation, training and employment and have been very successful in the development of so many people’s careers over the years.

Speaking at the lunch at the Titanic, keynote speaker, United States ambassador to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Jane Hartley is quoted as saying in an article on the Yahoo website:

“I’m very proud of the work that the WiB Group is doing. Skills and training are something I care deeply about and not just for women but the whole population. It is clear that The WiB Group is determined to make a difference and in Northern Ireland, despite all the challenges of the moment, history has taught us that amazing things can happen when people speak out and use their voices.”

The WiB Now Inspires A Community Of 250,000 People

And in the same article

Nichola Robinson, chair of the WiB Group, explained: “The WiB Group stands on the shoulders of a legacy spanning 21 years. From those first roundtable meetings involving a small group of women wanting to challenge the status quo, all the way to the present day where the WiB Group now reaches and inspires a community of 250,00 people, hosting 120 events and programmes per year, accrediting 175+ companies committed to EDI progress, and supporting and motivating over 36,000 women in their career journeys.

“Through Women in Business, Diversity Mark, Timely Careers and the Centre of Learning, the WiB Group is living proof that in unity there is power. Affecting meaningful change, whether by elevating entrepreneurship onto an all-island scale, pioneering the gender charter, delivering skills or breaking new ground in flexible careers, must be our mantra every day.”

Finallly Roseann Kelly, chief executive of the WiB Group and a member of the founding committee of Women in Business, added: “This October marks a special milestone for Women in Business as together we envision an even better future for Northern Ireland. We grew from a network of 40 women members, to a group of social enterprises united in our commitment to creating an inclusive prosperous economy for all society. We will continue to unlock new opportunities, advance diversity and inclusion, and upskill the talent pool here on our doorstep as we collectively look ahead to an even better 21 years.”

The WiB does some outstanding work so here’s to the next 21 years for this excellent group of women.