IIBN - International Irish Business Network

On Tuesday, 30th June 2009, over 150 IIBN members and guests gathered to hear an address by Lord Kilclooney at the offices of Deutsche Bank in the city of London. Sean Taylor, Director at Deutsche Bank welcomed IIBN and handed over to Conor Foley, Chairman of IIBN, who thanked Deutsche Bank for its generosity in hosting this unique event, before handing over to Damon Oldcorn, IIBN Board Member who formally welcomed Lord Kilclooney.

The theme for the evening was ‘Lord of the Provincials’, reflecting on Lord Kilclooney?s position in the provincial newspaper industry. Lord Kilclooney talked about his career to date and plans for the future.

Lord Kilclooney noted that he is the Chairman of the Alpha Newspaper Group, the largest weekly newspaper group in Northern Ireland. Established in 1983, Alpha Newspapers also owns several newspapers in the midlands area of the Republic of Ireland and is a stake holder in six Northern Irish local radio stations. The company?s headquarters are in Dungannon, Co. Tyrone.

In addition to his business success, Lord Kilclooney, was a former Ulster Unionist Party MP and a life peer. He was deputy leader of the UUP from 1995 to 2001, and a member of the Northern Ireland Assembly. Lord Kilclooney is now a cross bencher in the House of Lords and not aligned to any one party.

In February 1972, he survived an assassination attempt by the Official Irish Republican Army. Short-listed by Ernst & Young for Ireland?s Entrepreneur of the Year in 2008, Lord Kilclooney has uniquely achieved success in both the political and business worlds and his presentation was enlightening to all present.

Lord Kilcloony?s talk concluded with questions and answers from the audience and once the formal part of the evening concluded, delegates were treated to a generous selection of canapés and beverages, all generously hosted by Deutsche Bank.