Amanda Mackenzie, Chief Executive and Kieran Harding, Managing Director, Business in the Community present John Healy, Vice President and Managing Director, Allstate NI with the Ambassador for Responsible Business in Northern Ireland accolade.

Kieran Harding, Managing Director at Business in the Community Northern Ireland, said: “Ambassadors are chosen not only for their inspiring personal impact, but also for demonstrating leadership that has both transformed their own business and inspired other organisations to take action.

“John is an incredible and well-respected leader within his own business and throughout the business community. We are delighted that he has accepted this trusted position and is already challenging us to garner our member companies to tackle some of the biggest issues we have in Northern Ireland, such as poverty and inspiring young people into the world of work.

“Over the next two years, John will have the opportunity to represent the interests of the business community in Northern Ireland at a national level as he contributes to the overarching aims of Business in the Community by using business as a force for good in society.”

John Healy comments: “I am very humbled and pleased to have been asked to accept this role. I believe passionately in the power of business. Business in the Community drives its member organisations to work collectively to take action on some really tough issues. As business leaders and employees, Business in the Community brings us right to the heart of our communities and supports us to make an impact together. I have seen first-hand that collaboration with other organisations is really the most impactful approach.

“Following on from a powerful Seeing is Believing project on poverty last year, next on the agenda for me is to lead a new Seeing is Believing visit for business leaders in Northern Ireland. We’ll visit some grassroots projects to get a deeper understanding of the issues people are facing every day and work out how we can use our businesses to help.

“The overarching focus for me during my time as Ambassador is encouraging my own business and others to address skills in Northern Ireland. This is an area we cannot afford to ignore and we must be proactive in helping shape the future workforce.”

If your business would like help with this corporate responsibility activities, or if you’d like to get involved in supporting some of our initiatives, please visit www.bitcni.org.uk.