The US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland for Economic Affairs, Joe Kennedy III, has commended the launch of a new US Life & Health Sciences Advisory Board that aims to strengthen trade and investment opportunities between Northern Ireland’s Life & Health Sciences sector and the sector in the US.
The Board comprises leaders from across the Life & Health Sciences sector in the US and was brought together by Invest Northern Ireland and NI Connections, Northern Ireland’s diaspora outreach initiative. They identified influential professionals from the Northern Ireland diaspora who could offer significant expertise and insight and help drive the growth of the sector.
Announcing the new Board Mr Kennedy said:
“The US is the largest export market for Northern Ireland Life & Health Sciences companies, so it makes sense to nurture relationships between the two regions and promote mutually beneficial opportunities.”
The advisory board’s executives, many of whom are global leaders in their field of expertise, include Belfast-born Mark Goldstone. Mark, who will Chair the Board, epitomises the expertise and goodwill of strategic Northern Irish diaspora. He said: “The combined industry knowledge and experience of the board members make it a powerful instrument for advancing the sector.”
Welcoming the new board, HIRANI CEO Joann Rhodes MBA said: “The new advisory board will help position the NI Life & Health Sciences sector as world leading, promote collaboration between companies and highlight investment opportunities.
“These impressive individuals have a strong personal connection to Northern Ireland. Led by chair Mark Goldstone, they have committed to combine their insights, global leaders view and act as critical friends. This will play a key role in shaping the strategy of HIRANI and the broader sector mission as we grow to promote capabilities, build collaboration and align our strengths with opportunities in Northern Ireland for investment, growth and play our part in the 10x vision and broader UK Life Sciences Mission.
“HIRANI looks forward to working closely with the advisory board to bring these opportunities forward and maximise our combined experience to benefit both health and prosperity of the people of NI.”
Mel Chittock, Invest Northern Ireland’s Interim CEO, commented: “Northern Ireland’s Life & Health Sciences sector has experienced rapid growth in recent years fuelled by our world-renowned expertise in precision medicine, digital health and medical devices.”
Moira Loughran, NI Connections, said: “The diaspora has the potential to play a key role in the Department for Economy’s 10X vision. We are immensely fortunate that board members have committed their time to this exciting opportunity for Northern Ireland. Their motivation to participate is based entirely on a desire to share their extensive experience with a view to advancing the growth of the sector, thereby ‘giving back’ to NI and the economy.”
