Northern Ireland

Brexit business expert Aodhán Connolly to take up new Executive role in Brussels

Aodhán Connolly is joining the Northern Ireland Executive Brussels Office.
Aodhán Connolly is joining the Northern Ireland Executive Brussels Office.

THE head of the NI Retail Consortium and prominent Brexit business commentator Aodhán Connolly is to take up a new post for the Stormont Executive in Brussels.

Mr Connolly, who also chairs the NI Business Brexit Working Group, will take up a leadership role with the Northern Ireland Executive Brussels Office.

The office aims to support the north "in its new relationship with the European Union" post-Brexit, by promoting the Executive's "interests and positions in the EU, and more widely in Europe".

It is thought the Brussels office will become more influential due to the nature of the Northern Ireland Protocol, which was agreed by the UK and EU in 2019.

Congratulating Mr Connolly on his new role, the head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service Jayne Brady said in a Twitter post: "An excellent appointment - looking forward to welcoming you to the team."

Richard Buckley, editor of Business Eye magazine praised the appointment and said he welcomed seeing "common sense, business-focused people" in such roles.

In the years since the Brexit referendum in 2016, Mr Connolly has become one of the most vocal figures on issues facing businesses in the north as a result of leaving the EU.

He has been a prominent voice for firms facing the consequences of the Protocol, which has placed a trade border between the north and Great Britain as it effectively keeps NI in the EU's Single Market for goods.