The Diversity Lens: Adapting Entrepreneurship Support

Join us at Belfast City Hall on 11th April 2025 for a morning designed to empower those providing business support services across Northern Ireland to foster inclusivity. Learn from others as they share their journeys, gain helpful insight into best practices, and discover more about the Charter for inclusive entrepreneurship.

This event 'The Diversity Lens: Adapting Entrepreneurship Support for an Inclusive Economy' is powered by Inclusive Entrepreneurship NI, helping to ensure that all entrepreneurs have an equal opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.

We have an exciting lineup of speakers and panel discussions (see full agenda below)

We will start the day by discussing the Charter for inclusive entrepreneurship followed by sessions on:

- Inclusive Training, Facilitation & Content Design

-Inclusive Marketing Strategies

And

- Unleashing Your Potential

This event will take place in the Great Hall, in Belfast City Hall.

The Great Hall strives to be a welcoming venue for all and you can read their accessibility charter here (easy read option available).

There is an accessible lift in the building, there will be captions on any presentations given and there are some disabled car parking spaces behind City Hall.

Tea, coffee, and pastries will be provided on arrival and lunch will be served from 1pm-2 pm.

We want to ensure our event is welcoming and accessible to all. If you have accessibility needs, dietary requirements, or if there is anything else we can do to better support your participation, please let us know below.

Welcome Host: Susan Nightingale
Director Devolved Nations, UK Network-British Business Bank

Facilitator of Engage with Intention Slot: Katie Matthews-Furphy
Founder-The Mind Tribe UK

Host of Presentation of the Charter for inclusive entrepreneurship: Dr Lorna Treanor

Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship & Innovation-University of Nottingham
&
President of the Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship

Fireside chat- Charter in Practice Panellist: Amy Junkin

Communications & Development Manager-Enterprise Northern Ireland

Host: Dr Lorna Treanor

Fireside chat- Charter in Practice Panellist: Roisin McDermott

Head of Entrepreneurship-Women in Business NI

Host: Dr Lorna Treanor

Panel host- Panel: Unleash the potential: Susan McKane

Senior Manager, Northern Ireland-British Business Bank

Panelist: Unleash the potential: John Ferris

Accelerator Community Manager- Ulster Bank

Host: Susan McKane

Panelist: Unleash the potential: Michael Holden

Chief Executive Officer, AccessoLoo

Host: Susan McKane

Panelist: Unleash the potential: Vivian McKinnon

Trauma Growth Therapist-Hydro-Ease

Host: Susan McKane

Panelist: Unleash the potential: Steve Lazars
Director & Founder-EMEEN - Ethnic Minority Employment & Entrepreneurship Network

Host: Susan McKane

Fireside chat host: Inclusive Training, Facilitation & Content Design: Karen Bonner
Principal Economist-Ulster University Economic Policy Centre

Fireside chat panelist: Inclusive Training, Facilitation & Content Design: Nancy Brown
Lecturer-Ulster University Business School

Fireside chat panelist: Inclusive Training, Facilitation & Content Design: Sharon Didrichsen
Founder & Managing Director-Specialisterne NI

Inclusive Marketing Strategies Guest: Andy Jarvis
Strategy Director-Eximo Marketing

Host: John Ferris

Call to Action / Feedback / Resource signposting: Jenny Ervine
Co-Founder-Raise Ventures

Closing Remarks: Michael McQuillan

Chief Executive Officer-Enterprise Northern Ireland

Host or Publisher Inclusive Entrepreneurship NI