The event, which will be held in Westminster today (Tuesday 23 May), brings together more than 300 business leaders, embassy officials, government ministers and MPs to recognise the positive economic impact of the 25 years since the Good Friday Agreement and look to the future.
Secretary of State Chris Heaton Harris and Shadow Secretary of State Peter Kyle are also among the senior ministers making keynote speeches.
The reception will also see the launch of a major new economic transformation report from Trade NI which will examine and set out a blueprint for economic priorities in NI for the next 25 years. The report – entitled Northern Ireland: The Prosperity Dividend – has been produced by BDO, with input from DWF and other key sponsors and stakeholders.
DWF recognises the potential in Northern Ireland as a place of prosperity and potential. It has doubled revenue in Belfast in the past five years and intends to double its 120-strong team in the next three years.
During Sir Nigel's speech he will make the following remarks: "Northern Ireland's welcoming approach to business has something to give to the rest of the world. The past few years have presented many challenges, but it has also been a time of great opportunity for many of Northern Ireland’s key sectors and industries, and, of course, the people behind them.
"Stories of resilience abound with a desire to create an economy delivering prosperity for all. Collaboration is rich and well embedded across all sectors of the business community in Northern Ireland, and the ability for public, private and academic communities to work together has been instrumental in the success of the region. Northern Ireland has a lot to offer our people as a place to live, work and do business."
Julie Galbraith, executive partner of DWF in Belfast added: "DWF, as a trusted advisor to many of Northern Ireland's best known businesses, is well placed to support the programme for prosperity set out in the report, and which we're very proud to support and sponsor.
"As a sector specialist legal business we are focussed on three key themes for reform; greater investment in infrastructure projects; further capitalisation of green opportunities to maintain NI's position as a leader in renewables; and regeneration of cities and towns to create thriving hubs of innovation and growth.
"It is an exciting time for our Belfast team as we work on a range of prominent projects for clients across a range of sectors, including just last week the announcement from Whitbread of its plans for a new Premier Inn hotel near Belfast International Airport."
