TWO of the leading figures from Belfast’s burgeoning tech sector have been appointed to the board of the city's Chamber of Commerce.
Darragh McCarthy, founder and chief executive of FinTrU, and Samantha Kirk, VP of Engineering and Belfast site lead of Silicon Valley-based software firm Dynamic Signal, were elected by members at the body's annual general meeting.
“Belfast Chamber has been growing in size and stature over recent years, which has seen our membership expand among the city’s fast-growing tech sector, so we're delighted to have two tech leaders of the calibre of Samantha and Darragh on our board,” its president Michael Stewart said:
“The economic crisis caused by Covid-19 has starkly illustrated the symbiotic relationship between all sectors of our city’s economy. Our retailers and hospitality businesses rely on companies in the tech sector and vice versa. Our city’s economy is an ecosystem and it is great to have the tech sector, which is and will continue to be a hugely important part of the Belfast economy.”
Samantha Kirk said: “I look forward to working with Michael and the team to help amplify the voice of business in the city at what is a crucial period for our economy.
“Belfast is growing a worldwide reputation as somewhere that produces great talent that attracts technology companies like Dynamic Signal.
“Belfast was recently named by the Financial Times as one of its top 10 tech cities of the future, so our sector will be at the heart of the city's economy as it bounces back, and I know the Chamber will be to the fore in fighting for the business community.”
Darragh McCarthy added: “FinTrU has been a part of the Belfast economy since 2014 with the city’s ability to produce skilled workers key to our firm’s success and the success of the local tech sector.
“The Chamber’s focus on how the city can regenerate in ways that attract and retain talent is something that is central to securing that ongoing success.”
