The Chamber is delighted to confirm that Steven Lindsay will serve as our new President, following our successful and well attended Annual General Meeting last week. Steven, previously the Chamber’s Vice President, replaces our outgoing President Andrew Fleming.

A pillar of the local business community, Steven Lindsay, who is the co-founder of McHughLindsay, said his priority as the Chamber’s 83rd President is simple: every Chamber action must make a real difference for our members.

At the AGM, our new President set out his areas of focus with key stakeholders including delivering 10,000 student places at Ulster University’s Magee campus, accelerating Derry and Strabane Region City Deal projects, revitalising Derry and Strabane city centres, and securing improved road and rail connectivity.

Steven also announced the DEEDS project, delivered by the Old Library Trust to support people with early-stage dementia, as the President’s chosen charity for 2026. We at the Chamber eagerly look forward to helping support all of the remarkable work they carry out in our community.

Steven has an extensive and proven track record in his contributions to civic and community leadership. He previously served as a Trustee of Age NI and as Trustee and Treasurer of Verbal Arts, currently represents Derry Chamber on the Ulster University Magee Taskforce and the region’s Local Economic Partnership, is a Board Member of Inner City Trust Capital Projects, a member of the Audit Committee at Ulster Rugby, and a Governor of Foyle College. Steven’s commitment to our local community is clear, and we are thrilled to have someone so rooted in community leadership in the North West leading the Chamber.

Steven Lindsay, President, Derry Chamber, said:

“It is a privilege to take on the role of President at such a pivotal time for the North West. Our region is rich with talent, ambition, and opportunity, and the Chamber continues to play a vital role in ensuring that our businesses’ interests are championed and our economic potential realised.

 “A strong North West is a win for Northern Ireland and for the island of Ireland. By working with partners across the region, we can build a thriving, balanced economy that lifts everyone. We see huge potential in emerging sectors like AI and renewables. The global economy is changing fast, and we have no intention of being spectators. We don’t want the next big ideas born here to leave here.

 “For too long, too many of our young people have felt their future was elsewhere, but if we stay focused on driving regional impact, on turning plans into reality, then that better future can be right here, in the North West.”

 At the AGM, we also gave our sincere thanks to outgoing President Andrew Fleming, who has been unwavering in his commitment to representing our members and steadfast in his ambitions to ensure the North West achieves its full potential.

Outgoing President Andrew Fleming said:

“Serving as President of the Londonderry Chamber over the past year has been a tremendous honour. It has been a year defined by collaboration, optimism, and real progress for the North West, and I am deeply proud of the role the Chamber has played in strengthening the voice of our business community.

 “It is a pleasure to hand over the Presidency to Steven Lindsay, someone whose expertise, leadership experience, and long-standing commitment to our community will serve the Chamber exceptionally well. Steven brings a deep understanding of governance, organisational development, and the challenges and opportunities facing businesses in the North West. I know he will lead the Chamber with integrity, energy, and ambition and I look forward to supporting him as he has supported me.”

 We are proud of the exceptionally high quality of leadership in those that have been at the Chamber’s helm. It is also clear that our Presidents have been working in unison towards the same goal, with each building on the successes of the last.

2024 President Greg McCann’s focus on Ambition in Place reasserted confidence in the region’s potential; Andrew Fleming’s theme of Ambitious Regional Collaboration strengthened partnership working across the North West; and Steven Lindsay now builds on that foundation with a renewed focus on Driving Regional Impact and ensuring our work delivers tangible outcomes for members.

As we enter 2026, we eagerly look forward to working with Steven Lindsay to continue beating the drum for fair investment in the North West, hold those responsible for delivery accountable, and deliver tangible outcomes for our members.