HISTORY-maker Denise McBride has been confirmed as the keynote speaker for this year's Women in Business Awards, which take place in the Culloden Hotel on Thursday November 19.
The Belfast QC was sworn in last month along with Siobhan Keegan QC as Northern Ireland’s first female high court judges.
No women had previously held the position since the north’s High Court was established in 1921.
The appointment of the two women is seen as marking a welcome step forward in terms of addressing a gender imbalance at senior levels of the judiciary in Northern Ireland.
The Lord Chief Justice Sir Declan Morgan has spoken of his efforts to ensure the judiciary is reflective of the community while maintaining the merit principle.
Now known as Madam Justice McBride, she will take the place of British fashion designer Amanda Wakeley at the Women in Business awards dinner,which is expected to be attended by more than 400 guests.
Ms Wakeley was reluctantly forced to withdraw from the awards due to an overseas business commitment.
Her spokesman said: "Unfortunately, due to upcoming important business expansion meetings abroad that cannot be changed, Amanda is not able to attend the WIB event.
"She was very excited to be part of the event, even retweeting her excitement to attend. Amanda would love to attend the next conference as the keynote speaker.”
Women in Business chief executive Roseann Kelly said: "We were so sorry to hear that Amanda has had to pull out of our event, but securing the services of Denise McBride for what will be her first major public address since her appointment is a real coup for our organisation."
Tickets for the Women in Business Awards ceremony are available to buy online at womeninbusinessni.com.
Sponsors and partners of the Women in Business Awards 2015 include The Irish News, Ulster Bank, Q Radio, Department for Employment and Learning, Equality Commission, JC Decaux, Deloitte, Belfast City Council, John McKee Solicitors and Vistage.
