Invest Northern Ireland, the inward investment agency for Northern Ireland, has opened an office in New York to help persuade US financial services firms to set up software development, data management and call centre operations in Northern Ireland. To celebrate the opening, a reception held at The Palace Hotel on Monday night featuring Catherine Allen, CEO of BITS, who discussed managing operational risk, outsourcing and cyber security – all subjects of critical interest to top management of global financial services firms.
Invest Northern Ireland says the event attracted more than 150 financial services executives, including chief information officers and executive vice presidents from some of the city’s leading banks, securities firms and insurance companies.
“Northern Ireland offers a very attractive value proposition to global financial services companies looking for a base abroad to support their operations globally, and particularly in Europe,” says Leslie Morrison, CEO of Invest Northern Ireland, who flew in from Belfast to host the reception. “A number of large US banks and insurance companies have already established operations in Northern Ireland, such as Citigroup, Allstate Insurance and Liberty Mutual.”
“Our technology savvy workforce, first-rate telecom infrastructure, rigorous intellectual property protection and common cultural heritage, make Northern Ireland an excellent choice for global financial companies,” adds John Haran, Senior Vice President and head of Invest Northern Ireland’s US operations.
Northern Ireland is expected to be the first region in the UK to achieve 100 percent broadband penetration by year end.
Invest NI’s New York Office will be led by Deirdre McCanny. McCanny, ho previously served in Invest NI’s London office, has extensive experience serving global financial services companies.
This Spring, Continental Airlines launched a daily, non-stop flight between Newark Airport and Belfast International Airport, making travel to the region more convenient.