IoD NI Annual Dinner 2024

We look forward to welcoming you and your guests to one of the most prestigious black tie events in the NI Business event calendar for an evening of fine dining and first-rate entertainment from comedian Andrew Ryan, expertly hosted by the wonderful Donna Traynor.

We are delighted that Clive Myrie, one of the BBC's most experienced foreign correspondents, will join us as special guest speaker.

This event is kindly supported by our headline sponsor Bank of Ireland and associate sponsors Arthur Cox NI and Hire IQ.

This event welcomes all business leaders and is open to IoD members and non-members.

Clive Myrie is a multi award winning journalist, one of the BBC's most experienced foreign correspondents and a recognised face as a BBC News presenter. In 2021 he took over as Host of the long running BBC series, Mastermind and Celebrity Mastermind. A keen fan of the Arts & music, Clive is a regular host of The BBC Proms, and has made documentaries on jazz for Radio 2 and Jazz FM.

Born in Bolton, Lancashire he studied law at the University of Sussex. Clive has served as the BBC’s Asia, Africa, Washington and Europe Correspondent. He has a particular interest in US politics, having covered the administrations of three Presidents (Clinton, Bush and Obama,) and reported on seven Presidential races, including the election of Donald Trump and Joe Biden.

As well as presenting the One, Six and Ten 0’Clock News bulletins on BBC One, Clive continues to travel the world as a reporter, and makes features and programmes for Panorama, Newsnight and Radio 4. In 2022, he presented the main BBC One bulletins live from Kyiv during the war in Ukraine. He also presented the documentary, The Crown Jewels for BBC1, screened as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June 2022. In May/June 2023, his travel series ‘Clive Myrie’s Italian Roadtrip,’ was a huge hit on BBC2 and one of the most popular shows on the BBC.

Donna Traynor is one of Northern Ireland’s best-known broadcasters. As presenter of the flagship TV programme BBC Newsline, she fronted coverage of some of the biggest events in recent times. Her work was recognised by the Royal Television Society with nominations for the ‘Best Presenter’ award.

As a versatile performer Donna has also hosted other programmes such as Children in Need, the Balmoral Show and Wild Week Live.

Her introduction to journalism was with RTÉ in Dublin. Donna joined the BBC in 1989 as a radio newsreader.

Andrew Ryan is one of the most in demand acts and MC at the biggest comedy clubs across the UK & Ireland. His quintessentially Irish storytelling abilities and cheeky, friendly demeanour make him a natural stand up.

Andrew performs regularly in Dublin and has performed at Kilkenny Cat laughs festival, Ivy Gardens in Dublin, Galway & Cork Comedy Festivals.

In 2018 he won ‘BEST NEW SHOW’ at The Leicester Comedy Festival with his new show ‘Is everything alright at home?’. He has supported the likes of Joe Lycett, Jason Manford and Kerry Godliman on their UK & Ireland tours.

Andrew has his own podcast CORK IN THE NORTH which he co-hosts with his friend and fellow comedian Aaron Butler.

He has appeared on many TV shows in the UK & Ireland. He has performed stand-up on BBC3’s Russell Howard’s Good News, Best of the Edinburgh Festival Live on BBC3, The Blame Game on BBC 1, Live at The Comedy Store for Comedy Central, Live for MIND on Comedy Central, The Six O Clock show & Ireland AM on TV3 . Andrew is also the host of ‘Secrets of the Comedy Circuit’ which airs on UTV.

Host or Publisher IoD Northern Ireland