JULIE Gibbons, who is managing director of the north's largest insurance broker AbbeyAutoline, has taken on the president's role at Newry Chamber of Commerce and Trade.
A law graduate from Queen’s University and with an MBA from University College Dublin, she was operations director of Autoline Insurance Group for 12 years before it was merged with Abbey.
She said: “It's a privilege to be chosen to lead Newry Chamber over the next two years, given its long and rich history and indeed the entrepreneurial spirit of the whole region.
“I thank outgoing president Emma Mullen-Marmion for the last two years of unbelievable energy and commitment through an historic presidency, facing some of the most difficult issues we have faced as an entire community in recent times.
“I'm excited about working with our members and key stakeholders to progress opportunities they have identified. Much of the Chamber's focus has been on Brexit and Covid, two issues which were critical to our members, who saw the value in having an influential collective voice and source of practical business support."
She added: “We have grown membership by more than 30 per cent during the pandemic to almost 250, and these new members will bring fresh thinking and experience which I am eager to embrace and bring to the forefront.
“We will continue to work in partnership with other organisations to provide members with services that help their businesses to grow and flourish."
Edwin Flynn, chief executive of Wood Innovations, was elected as vice president while Kieran Grant, finance director at Warrenpoint Port, becomes treasurer and Jackie Reid, founder and chief strategy officer at Deli Lites Ireland, was elected to the board.
